Two Iranian researchers imprisoned on hunger strike

In a context of sharp tensions between Iran and the West, the Franco-Iranian anthropologist Fariba Abdelkhah and the Australian researcher Kylie Moore-Gilbert started, Tuesday, December 24, a hunger strike and unlimited thirst in the Iranian prison where they are being held.

The two academics denounce in a letter sent from the Evin prison, in Tehran, the "fabricated accusations" of which they believe to be the subject, the "psychological torture" and the "violations of human rights" which they say they have suffered in prison.

They say they started their hunger strike "on behalf of all researchers and academics in Iran and
Middle East who, like us, have been unjustly imprisoned on fabricated charges when they were only doing their job. "

Spying charges

Fariba Abdelkhah, research director at the Center for International Research (CERI) at Sciences Po Paris, has been detained since June by the Iranian government, which does not recognize its binationality. Detained by the Revolutionary Guards, she is accused of spying.

The arrest of another French researcher, Roland Marchal, was confirmed by the Quai d'Orsay in October. The motive for his detention is unknown. France has repeatedly asked for their release, notably during a telephone exchange between President Emmanuel Macron and his counterpart Hassan Rohani.

>> Read also: Emmanuel Macron "concerned" about the detention in Tehran of a Franco-Iranian researcher

Tehran rejected the request two weeks ago, alleging "interference". "More than ever, our solidarity and our thoughts of hope go to Fariba, Roland Marchal and all the other prisoners
arbitrariness, all over the world, "wrote CERI on its Twitter account.

Ceri confirms the hunger strike started by Fariba Adelkhah and his fellow inmate Kylie Moore-Gilbert. On this Christmas day, our solidarity and our thoughts of hope go to Fariba, Roland and all the other prisoners of the arbitrary. #FreeFariba #FreeRoland

With Reuters

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