Jailed Iran filmmaker Jafar Panahi says on hunger strike
The Hindu
Cinema figures have been among the thousands of people arrested by Iran.
Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who has been jailed for the last six months, said he has begun a hunger strike to protest his continued detention, according to a statement published by his wife Thursday.
Panahi, whose films have won prizes at all of Europe's main film festivals, was arrested in July even before the current wave of protests that have shaken the regime started in September.
There were expectations last month that the judiciary could order his release, but he remains behind bars in Tehran's Evin prison.
He started his dry hunger strike, refusing food and water, from Wednesday, he said in the statement.
"Today, like many people trapped in Iran, I have no choice but to protest against this inhumane behaviour with my dearest possession -- my life," said Panahi.
"In protest against the illegal and inhumane behaviour of the judicial and security apparatus and this hostage-taking, I have started a dry hunger strike as of February 1. I will refuse to eat and drink any food and medicine until the time of my release.
"I will remain in this state until perhaps my lifeless body is freed from prison."
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