Hamdan and Batran suffering severe health deterioration after 105 and 96 days of hunger strike

imadbatranAyman Hamdan and Imad al-Batran, Palestinian prisoners held without charge or trial under administrative detention who have been on hunger strike for 105 and 96 days respectively as of August 10, 2013, are suffering serious deterioration of their health, reported Palestinian lawyer Fadi Obeidat.

Both are held at Assaf Harofe hospital; Hamdan has been on strike since April 28 and detained since August 22, 2012. Obeidat reported that he is suffering low blood pressure, low heart rate, vitamin deficiency and weakening of the heart muscle. Hamdan has been hospitalised since 26 June 2013 and takes water, sugar, salt and vitamins. He lost 22 Kg of his weight, according to Obeidat.

Hamdan told the lawyer that his movement has become difficult and suffers from general weakness, dizziness and head as well as joint aches. He added that despite all this he is determined to continue with his hunger strike until his administrative detention is revoked.

The lawyer also met with Imad al-Batran and noticed serious deterioration in his health. Batran told the lawyer that he suffers from low heart rate (40 per minute) and takes medicine to regulate his heart. He suffers from general weakness, hair loss, insomnia and dryness of the eyes. Batran has been held without charge or trial under administrative detention since November 18, 2011; he has been on hunger strike demanding his release since May 7, 2013, the most recent renewal of his administrative detentin.

A hearing was scheduled for August 8, 2013, on a petition for Batran’s release submitted by his lawyers, which is now being considered by the Supreme Court.