On Friday, a group of Iranians camped out in tents outside Iran’s embassy in Frankfurt in solidarity of the protest movement back home reached the end of their hunger strike.
Since the September death in detention of Mahsa Amini, who was detained for allegedly breaching the country’s dress code for women, Iran has been shaken by massive protests.
Hundreds of people have been murdered and hundreds jailed in the disturbance, which authorities have labeled “riots,” sparking new global solidarity marches, notably in Germany.
A group of Iranian activists slept overnight in tents outside the Frankfurt consulate to demonstrate their support for the protest movement.
Eight of them then decided to go on hunger strike, choosing only to drink water.
“I am motivated by the murder of young people, women — children — and all people who are fighting peacefully for their freedom,” Hossein Zandi, who had been on hunger strike for 13 days, told AFP.
“My goal is that this consulate should be closed,” added the 53-year-old.
Ehsan Abbasy, who had stopped eating 24 days earlier, said he was starting to feel the impact.
“My body has become very cold,” he said, trying to keep warm in front of a heater.
The protesters went on hunger strike for different periods of time, ranging from five to 24 days.
They were supported by a network of volunteers from the local Iranian community and received daily medical check-ups to ensure their health was not in danger.
However, their hunger strike was finally due to come to an end on Friday.
One supporter, Fariba, said Iranians were rallying round to help each other “like a big family”.
“What has happened (in Iran) in the past three months has been unique during the past forty years,” said the 55-year-old, who only gave one name.
“We see real unity among Iranians.”
Several hundred Iranians also staged a demonstration outside the Frankfurt consulate Friday against the regime in Tehran, chanting and waving signs that read “Down with the oppressor”.
