Rahim Reshi’s Son: My Father Will Continue His Hunger Strike if They Don’t Release Him

http://www.rhairan.us/en/?p=6239

6 , August , 2010

Rahim Reshi, a Kurdish activist, was arrested by security guards on July 19, in a village named “Albalagh” in the district of Mahabad city.

RAHANA- According to reports, Rahim Reshi was arrested by security agents on Monday July 19 at his house in a village near Mahabad. He was taken to Mahabad Intelligence office, where he went on hunger strike one day after his arrest.The continuity of His hunger strike at the age of 57 severely concerns his family This is while during the recent days, media has not paid enough attention to the hunger strike of this citizen at IRGC’s Intelligence Detention in Oroumieh (Urmia).

Radio Zamaneh had a short interview in this regard with his son, Souran Reshi .

How and when was Mr Reshi arrested?

On July 19,  at 11 PM, security forces  arrested my father after inspecting the house. They took several books of him with themselves without giving any explanation. We have no information on his condition after that night.

You mean you even don’t know about his detention place?

We do. On the first days he was in intelligence office of Mahabad, but they transferred him to the detention of IRGC in Oroumieh without informing his family.

According to the reports, he went on hunger strike on the first day after his arrest. Is he still continuing his hunger strike?

Yes, He went on hunger strike on the morning of July 20 and as far as we know he is still on hunger strike.

Have you visited the intelligence office? What was their response? Did they explain why your father was arrested?

Before transferring him to Oroumieh, My mother and sister used to go to the intelligence office of Mahabad and sit in front of the office everyday from 9  to 14 but didn’t get any response, and even they didn’t tell us the reason of his arrest.

Has your family attempted to visit him in prison?

Our family went to Oroumieh on Thursday, but they didn’t allow us to meet him. And as I just said he is in detention now.

Was Mr Reshi  imprisoned or arrested before?

Yes, My father has been arrested by security guards several times and has been in 6, 15 and 22-day hunger strikes before. In all cases he was acquitted by court.

According to my knowledge about my father if they don’t release him he will continue his hunger strike and this is severely concerning us.

Considering the current situation what is your request from human rights advocates and international organizations?

Our family is in an inappropriate situation, my mother is sick and in a bad mental condition. My father is 75  years old and has been in hunger strike for 11 days. We ask all human rights organizations to make their effort for releasing my father. We also ask media and media activists to do not forget my father and don’t let his hunger strike remain in ignorance.

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