Published on: 24 July 2017
DOHI News
In recent weeks as the Iranian Judiciary has metered out heavy prison sentences to 11 Christians, a second Christian prisoner has gone on a hunger strike in protest and to support the hunger strike of Amin Afshar Naderi.
In a report from Mohabat News:
Firuzi, a Christian convert from Islam and prisoner in Rajai Shahr prison, Karaj, Iran, went on a 10-day hunger strike on Monday, July 17, 2017, in support of fellow Christian Amin Afshar Naderi who had gone on an indefinite hunger strike on July 6, and in protest of harsh and unjust prison sentences metered out to 11 Christians in the past few weeks.
Ebrahim Firuzi, wrote a letter to the Iranian authorities:
“Considering the rude and cruel behavior of Judiciary Authorities towards Converted Christians and in denying Christians access to Christian literature as well as the issue of unfair and heavy sentences for Christian converts, I have decided to go on a hunger strike.”
In his letter on July 16, 2017, to the Prosecutor General of Tehran he emphasized, “The government of Iran can not decide whether or not a person is Christian but this decision and authority is the Church’s decision.”
Firuzi also mentioned the heavy prison terms inflicted on several Christians in recent months and declared his support for their demands and rights I go on a hunger strike.
Firuzi was sentenced to 5 years in prison on January 14, 2017 and will be released in January 2020 with time already served.
During his captivity, Firuzi’s physical and mental health had been weakened due to the lack of medical leave. He also suffers anguish over the condition of his poor and sick mother who was diagnosed with cancer. Because of her weak health and heavy medical treatment for the cancer she has not been able to visit her son. Firuzi has been denied permission on compassionate grounds to visit his sick mother.
