From an e-mail:

Last night, Akbar Mohammadi, a 36 year-old pro-democracy activist who was on a hunger strike to protest his own detention and call for the release of all political prisoners, died in the Evin Prison in Tehran. Mohammadi, who had spent several years in prison, had been arrested along with thousands of other students (including his brother Mohammad) following the 1999 students protest triggered by the vigilantes attack on a peaceful campus rally in support of freedom of the press. The attack led to the murder of at least one student, a crime which was left unpunished. Mohammadi and several others had been initially sentenced to death but their sentences were reduced to 15 years imprisonment as a result of the international pressure on the Iranian government. Mohammadi, who like many other detainees had testified about being subjected to harsh physical and psychological torture, was released for medical reasons. The doctors had determined that his physical condition did not allow him to endure prison conditions. However, the Iranian authorities arrested him again 2 months ago. Akbar’s death should be a serious warning to the international community, which is consumed by Iran’s nuclear standoff against the West and its role in the recent conflict in Lebanon. Democracies are the natural allies of pro-democracy activists around the world. They should not ignore the alarming surge in assassinations and the massive crackdown that Iran has launched against pro-democracy activists who call for the respect of the fundamental freedoms, and an end to discriminations based on religion, gender, and political beliefs. Roya Boroumand Executive Director Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation For the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy in Iran