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Hunger striker Vahid Beheshti stops protest and is taken to hospital

May 6, 2023 Human rights, Social and Political

thenationalnews – British-Iranian hunger striker Vahid Beheshti has “temporarily stopped” his protest outside London’s Foreign Office after being admitted to hospital.

Mr Beheshti, who is campaigning to have Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps listed as a terrorists group, had gone 73 days with only water, coffee and sugar cubes.READ MOREKing Charles hosts anti-IRGC hunger striker Vahid Beheshti at Buckingham Palace

His wife Mattie Heaven said his condition had deteriorated to the point where he is unable to stand for long periods, raising concern about his heart and liver.

After being taken to hospital in an ambulance, he said he had bowed to medical advice to pause his protest.

“In order for me to continue this fight to proscribe the IRGC, I have temporarily stopped my hunger strike,” wrote on social media.

“As soon as I have recovered, I will be back opposite the Foreign Office, to continue this fight among my dear brothers and sisters who have fought alongside me.”

As per medical advice, and in order for me to continue this fight to proscribe the IRGC, I have temporarily stopped my hunger strike. As soon as I have recovered, I will be back opposite the Foreign Office, to continue this fight among my dear brothers and sisters who have fought… https://t.co/9G9PLx0Vpv— Vahid Beheshti (@Vahid_Beheshti) May 5, 2023

Mr Beheshti’s wife described his condition as “absolutely heartbreaking” after a family doctor advised an ambulance should be called.

She said Mr Beheshti had lost more than a fifth of his body weight and was experiencing “heaviness and pain in the middle of his chest with ongoing heart palpitations”.

“Vahid is unable to walk or stand for prolonged periods due to severe dizziness and nausea with severe weakness in his legs,” she said.

Anti-IRGC hunger striker Vahid Beheshti — in pictures

Mr Beheshti and wife Mattie Heaven this week attend King Charles's first official garden party to mark his coronation. Mattie Heaven / Twitter
Mr Beheshti on day 62 of his hunger strike across the road from the British Foreign Office. Victoria Pertusa / The National
Vahid Beheshti on day 62 of his hunger strike in his campaign to have Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK. Victoria Pertusa / The National
Mr Beheshti on his hunger strike. Laura O'Callaghan / The National
Mr Beheshti makes sure his point is clearly made on Day 50 of his hunger strike. EPA
Mr Beheshti on hunger strike outside the Foreign Office in London. Courtesy of Vahid Beheshti
Richard Ratcliffe, whose wife Nazanin was held for years in an Iranian jail on trumped-up charges, visits Mr Beheshti outside the Foreign Office in London. Laura O'Callaghan / The National
Mr Beheshti lost 8kg in the first 20 days of his strike. Victoria Pertusa / The National

Mr Beheshti and wife Mattie Heaven this week attend King Charles’s first official garden party to mark his coronation. Mattie Heaven / Twitter

The UK government had urged Mr Beheshti to stop his protest because of fears for his health.

He had a letter delivered to King Charles III at a Buckingham Palace garden party this week where he and his wife were guests.

Last month, Mr Beheshti told The National that he was prepared to die on hunger strike to put pressure on the government in Tehran.

Britain has imposed sanctions on IRGC leaders but, like European allies, has so far stopped short of listing the organisation as a terrorists.Updated: May 06, 2023, 09:04

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