According to reports received by the Karoon Human Rights Organization, Mokhtar Al-Bushoukeh, an Arab political prisoner from Ahwaz, is facing alarming health issues on the sixth day of his hunger strike, which he initiated on October 10 in protest against the failure of security officials to return him to Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz.
A reliable source informed Karoon that Al-Bushoukeh’s health condition is critical, as he suffers from severe pain and kidney problems. He is also afflicted with a hernia and has been denied adequate medical care despite his need for treatment.
On October 6, 2023, after the security officials failed to fulfill their promise to return him to Sheiban Prison, Al-Bushoukeh resumed his hunger strike. Previously, on September 19, he had also gone on hunger strike in protest against his transfer from Sheiban Prison to Arak, which he ended after six days upon receiving assurances of his return to Sheiban—an assurance that has yet to be honored.
Reports indicate that Al-Bushoukeh’s transfer from Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz to Arak Prison on January 26, 2023, along with Nazem Barahi, was ordered by Amir Khalafian, the prosecutor of Ahwaz. This transfer is reported to have been carried out illegally. Al-Bushoukeh views this action as a security decision motivated by revenge and demands his return to Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz.
Following his transfer to Arak, this political prisoner faced new legal charges and was sentenced to an additional 10 years and 1 day in prison for allegedly “communicating from inside the prison with political prisoners released from Sheiban.”
Since 2011, Mokhtar Al-Bushoukeh has been incarcerated without a single day of leave. His life sentence was previously reduced to 25 years and 1 day after more than 15 years in prison. Previous reports from Karoon also indicate that he was subjected to severe physical and psychological pressure and torture during his transfer to the FARAJA Public Security Police detention center (PAWA) in December 2023 and during his time there.
The Karoon Human Rights Organization expresses deep concern over Mokhtar Al-Bushoukeh’s health condition and his ongoing hunger strike, calling for immediate medical attention, an end to security pressures, and his return to Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz.
