Araz News:Imprisoned South Azerbaijan National Activist has about 53 Days of his Hunger struck on 15 Des 2016.

According to receiving information from his family, Morteza Moradpour has lost more than 20 kg weight during the 52 days of his hunger strike. Critical health condition reported and he is suffering from severe kidney pain.

He has vowed to continue until he is granted parole, his brother told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.2Iran Regime rejected Mortaza Moradpour demand for applying section 134 of the law to let him released after 2 years in prison. Mortaza Moradpour started a hunger strike on 25 October 2016.

“His kidneys are in very bad shape and are getting worse every day,” said Fardin Moradpour. “But he says that he is being held illegally and will not stop his hunger strike.”

Today, Morteza Moradpour family and many other South Azerbaijani activists went on hunger strike to support Mortaza  Moradpour.

According to reliable sources of Araz News agency, Mortaza’s family and many south Azrbaijani sit  in front of the Justice Tabriz and insisting on the right to freedom Morteza Moradpour. Civil activists still continue to sit in front of the Justice Tabriz.

His brother Mr. Fardin Moradpour express  that his brother is eligible for parole according to Article 134 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, which allows for only the longest prison sentence to be served in cases involving multiple convictions.

Fardin Moradpour also said  that prison authorities have been trying to force his brother to end his hunger strike by making his living conditions unbearable.

“In order to put him under pressure to break his hunger strike, on November 3 the authorities moved him and other South Azerbaijani activist Rasoul Razavi, to the Karaj Penitentiary,” he said. “They were held in Ward 12 with other prisoners who had been exiled from their hometowns in cells that are four meters wide with no access to water. They were also denied salt, sugar and heating facilities. After about 35 days, he and Razavi were brought back to Tabriz Central Prison .”

Moradpour continued: “All my brother’s activities were within the law. But he has been charged and imprisoned based on false accusations. Now all he wants is the fair application of the law. He’s not asking for too much.”

Morteza Moradpour was sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the state” and two years for “assembly and collusion against national security” in November 2009. To date he has spent more than two years in prison.

İt should be noted that Mortaza Moradpour and many other South Azerbaijan national activists were arrested by the security forces (Ettelaat) for shouting slogans in favor of South Azerbaijan ethnic demands in the Shahgoli district of Tabriz (city) on May 22, 2009.

Mortaza was arrested because of shouting slogans against drying of Urmia lake , the right to speak his mother language ( Azerbaijnai turkish )and supporting the local Tractor Sazi Tabriz soccer team.

The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three years in prison for the false charges of ‘propaganda against the state’  on November 10, 2009 and Mortaza freed  on bail. However , he was arrested at his job and taken back to Tabriz Central Prison  on May 2015.

These days , many South Azerbaijani and many human right activist join a campaign “ I am voice of Morteza Moradpour “ by releasing videos on social medias to support this activist .

By-H.A