Iran Human Rights Organization announced that Babak Dadvakhsh, a political prisoner, has been on hunger strike in solitary confinement since September 1 in protest at the lack of attention to his judicial situation and his demands, and has sewn his lips shut.

In an audio message, Dadvakhsh said he is not seeking a pardon, a sentence reduction, or any privilege for release and only wants to be provided with the possibility to speak with a trusted and specialized judicial official so that his protests and requests can be conveyed to senior officials of the Judiciary.

He said: “In solitary confinement, on hunger strike, with lips sewn shut, I am waiting.”

According to Iran Human Rights Organization, Dadvakhsh is serving his eighth year of imprisonment. He was arrested in 2018 and was sentenced, on charges including “carrying and keeping weapons and ammunition,” to a total of 43 years in prison, of which 16 years are to be served.

The organization added that reports have been published about the worsening of Dadvakhsh’s physical condition due to diabetes and his transfer to a hospital. The judicial authorities and Ardabil prison have, so far, not provided any explanation about his situation.