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RFL/RE – Iranian opposition figure Mehdi Karrubi, who has been under house arrest for more than six years, has ended a hunger strike, his son says.
Mohammad Taghi Karrubi tweeted on August 17 that his father called off the strike after authorities promised to withdraw security agents from his home.
Karrubi began a hunger strike on August 16, demanding a public trial and that the guards leave his house.
The 79-year-old, who suffers from heart disease, was taken to hospital early on August 17, where he was visited by the health minister and deputy intelligence minister.
Mohammad Taghi Karrubi wrote that the two officials also promised that President Hassan Rohani’s government will take measures regarding Karrubi’s demand for a public trial.
Health Minister Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi told the official IRNA news agency that his visit to Karrubi was ordered by Rohani. He also said that Karrubi’s health situation is under control.
Mehdi Karrubi, along with opposition leader Mir Hossein Musavi and his wife, Zahra Rahnavard, were placed under house arrest in February 2011 for challenging the establishment over the disputed 2009 presidential vote and also for highlighting human rights abuses.
Rights groups have repeatedly called for the release of the three opposition figures.
