Sarvenaz Ahmadi, a children’s rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison who suffers from mental health issues, has entered the 17th day of her hunger strike in protest against the denial of her request for medical leave.

A source close to the case confirmed to HRANA: “Ms. Ahmadi, who recently suffered another nervous breakdown, is now on the 17th day of her medication strike. Despite her deteriorating physical and mental condition, she has refused to take her prescribed medication, including sedatives. This has caused constant headaches, insomnia, and muscle spasms, and there is a risk of further nervous attacks.”

Ahmadi previously experienced a “panic attack” during a raid by security forces on the women’s ward of Evin Prison and was transferred to a hospital. Doctors had earlier suggested that Ms. Ahmadi’s condition could be linked to epilepsy and recommended that she receive proper medical attention outside the prison.

This children’s rights activist began her hunger strike on Saturday, September 7, in protest against the denial of her medical leave request and delays in receiving her necessary medication.

Ahmadi was arrested on April 28, 2023, ahead of International Workers’ Day, along with several labor and union activists, at the home of Mohammad Habibi, a teachers’ union activist, and was transferred to Evin Prison.

Ms. Ahmadi was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling six years. However, this sentence was later reduced to three years and six months by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

She had also been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests and was released on bail on December 7 of the same year.

Ahmadi holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Tehran and is a dedicated children’s rights activist.