Dissident reporter ‘still on hunger strike’

DISSIDENT Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji was last night reported to be continuing on hunger strikdespite claims from an official who said he was eating again.

Judiciary spokesman Jamal Karimirad said on Tuesday that Mr Ganji had ended his eight-week hunger strike after calls from his family and friends, who were concerned he could die.

But Sirus Tabesh, head of public relations at Tehran’s Milad hospital, said this was incorrect.

“Ganji is not consuming any food,” he told the Sharq daily newspaper.

“Ganji’s condition would become critical if his situation goes on as it is.”

The 46-year-old former Revolutionary Guard turned reformist was imprisoned in 2001 after writing a string of stories linking officials to the murder of political dissidents.

He began his hunger strike in June to pressure the judiciary to grant him an unconditional release.

He was moved to Milad hospital and is kept under guard. Last month his health seriously deteriorated.

Sharq newspaper also quoted Shahaboddin Sadr, the head of Iran’s coroner’s office, as saying Mr Ganji’s health was stable.

Mr Ganji’s plight has provoked outrage and concern from the EU, US and numerous human rights groups.

A relative said that Mr Ganji’s family was not immediately able to confirm whether he had broken his hunger strike or not as they had been denied access to him since August 1.

Mr Ganji’s wife was quoted by the ISNA students news agency saying her husband receives serums when his condition becomes critical.

She added that he was being given intravenous drips but had developed a blood clot in his left arm last Friday.