Iranian-American journalist on hunger strike in Evin prison

Iranian-American journalist Reza Valizadeh, a former reporter for US-funded Radio Farda, has launched a hunger strike in Evin Prison, protesting what he calls an unjust and rushed legal process that resulted in his 10-year prison sentence.

Valizadeh, who was arrested in September last year after returning to Iran to visit family, was convicted of collaborating with a hostile government—a charge his legal team and international observers have strongly denounced.

In January, an Iranian appeals court upheld his sentence despite his lawyer arguing that the punishment is disproportionate to the alleged crime.

In a message from Evin Prison obtained by Iran International, Valizadeh said his hunger strike is in response to the Iranian judiciary's refusal to review key aspects of his case. He said that until the full scope of issues raised during interrogations and court proceedings are reconsidered, he will continue his protest.

“The public must know that the judicial process for political prisoners in Iran is hasty, lacks thorough examination, and leads to lengthy and unfair sentences,” he wrote.

Valizadeh was initially held in Ward 2A of Evin Prison, a section controlled by the IRGC Intelligence Organization, before being transferred to Ward 209, overseen by the Ministry of Intelligence.

His trial, held under Judge Iman Afshari, was widely criticized for its brevity and lack of due process. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, two years of internal exile from Tehran and neighboring provinces, and a travel ban.

Currently, he is being held in Ward 8, an area described as an “exile ward” known for its unsanitary and overcrowded conditions. According to sources, lice infestations, lack of medical care, and restricted access to family visits have worsened his situation. Additionally, he has been barred from granting legal representation to his family for handling personal affairs.

Valizadeh’s case has drawn international condemnation, with organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists demanding his immediate release. The US State Department has called his arrest a violation of international law, but Valizadeh has criticized Washington for failing to take effective action beyond issuing statements.

Iran has been accused of hostage diplomacy, detaining foreign and dual nationals under vague security charges to use as leverage in diplomatic negotiations and receiving financial rewards. The European Parliament recently condemned this practice, calling for the release of EU detainees. Rights groups warn that such detentions often lead to prisoner exchanges for Iranians held abroad.