Qazalhesar Prison Hunger Strike in Iran Reaches 10th Day

Prisoners at Unit Two of Qazalhesar prison in Karaj have continued a hunger strike for the tenth consecutive day. The protest began on 22 July 2023 (22 Tir) after six inmates sentenced to death were moved to solitary confinement for execution, especially in drug‑related cases. The inmates gathered in a prison hall, refused to eat and maintained a sit‑in to oppose the death‑penalty orders.

Human‑rights monitors reported videos of the strike and noted that similar protests occurred at the same facility last year over execution orders. The strike remains ongoing as the detainees demand the release of the solitary‑cell transfers and a halt to further executions.