Long Live Freedom!
Posted on 07/29/2005 10:21:23 AM PDT by F14 Pilot
Reporters Without Borders today condemned what it called "the criminal attitude" of Iran's top leaders in refusing to release journalist Akbar Ganji, who has now been on hunger-strike for nearly 50 days.
"They must release him for humanitarian reasons. He has been unjustly detained for more than five years but he is a determined man," the worldwide press freedom organisation said, calling on the international community and journalists everywhere to join in exerting pressure on the Iranian government.
Ganji will begin his 50th day without food on 31 July. He now weighs only 52 kg and is unconscious much of the day. He stopped eating on 11 June to protest against his imprisonment and conditions of detention.
His wife, who was allowed to see him for a few minutes in hospital on 28 July, said he was extremely weak. He opened his eyes and saw her but then fell back into unconsciousness.
Teheran state prosecutor Said Mortazavi, who was also at the hospital, once again accused her of wanting to kill her husband, a charge that has already appeared in a pro-government newspaper.
Reporters Without Borders expressed outrage at this attitude and Mortazavi's insulting remarks. It said Ganji's suffering was the result of the regime's hatred of him for his in-depth journalism and his fight for freedom of expression in Iran.
Ganji's condition has not improved despite his transfer to Milad Hospital, in northern Teheran, on 17 July. But Mortazavi is still pressing for him to have an operation that requires a general anaesthetic even though doctors say he is not strong enough for that.
Ganji's lawyer, 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, told reporters she was "very worried" about his health. She has not been allowed to visit him.
Reporters Without Borders also condemned the arrest on 25 July of another journalist, Masoud Bastani, who works for several reformist newspapers, including Etemad, Toseeh and Joumhoryat, and has written a lot about Ganji's plight. He is being held at Teheran's Evin prison, has not been allowed to receive visitors and may be transferred with common-law prisoners to a prison in Arak, in central Iran.
"As well as being willing to let Ganji die, the authorities are also hounding and arresting those who have to courage to defend him," the organisation said, calling for his release.
so what exactly is this hunger strike going to do for him besides kill him. I dont think Iran is gonna give in.
Long Live Freedom!
He is a prominent leader of the opposition!
He has been fighting the regime since late 90s.
The Mullah regime must be destroyed, or a large part of humanity will be destroyed.
For more news on him
http://releaseganji.net/
So are the Iranian people going to just let him die? Why don't they rise up? What are they waiting for?
There have been series of serious clashes between people and security forces in the past few days!
They need weapons, Monday. Large quantities of weapons. They already have the will and the spirit.
God Bless Ganji.
Exactly!
FYI 52 kg is about 114 pounds. Unfortunately they don't say how tall he is or how much he weighed in at before hand.
We need to do some thing!
This sh*t would be over and Iran would be free if only for weapons. Breaks my heart.
FREE GANJI
Free Ganji BUMP. Prayers for his strength to endure.
He might be dead so far!
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Truck loads of heavy guns to kill protestors in western Iran
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