‘I never thought this movement would become so big’: British-Iranian hunger striker on day 41 of protest

Vahid Beheshti hasn’t eaten in 41 days and has lost over 13kg (17% of his body mass).

But the British-Iranian human rights activist and journalist remains determined to continue his hunger strike till the UK government adds Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its list of international terrorist organisations.

The 46-year-old has been camped outside the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office since February 23, and over the last six weeks he has received an outpouring of support worldwide.

“People in different cities in Iran are writing on the walls that we are supporting Vahid Beheshti.” he tells LondonWorld.

“I never thought this movement would become as big as we have seen it.”

Several other tents have been pitched alongside his and a garden of flowers and signs of support have also accumulated around his camp.

He has met with Tom Tugendhat, the UK’s security minister, Alicia Kearns, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and several other MPs and his case has been raised twice in Parliament.

However, after sending three open letters he has yet to receive any response from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

“Rishi Sunak promised he would proscribe the Iranian government before he was elected but how many months have passed?

“What surprises me is that he decided to completely ignore me after 41 days and pretend I don’t exist.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was set up after the 1979 revolution in Iran to defend the country’s Islamic system.

The group has gained worldwide attention in recent months due to its brutal crackdown on protesters in Iran, led by women fighting for their human rights.

The Iranian regime’s actions at home and abroad in recent months compelled Mr Beheshi to use his voice to speak out in defence of people in his homeland whom he says are suffering for simply voicing opposition to the regime.

“As long as we continue with our appeasement policy, the IRGC will continue with their hostage taking policies,” he said

“They only understand one language, pressure and strong leadership.”

According to an MI5 report, Iran was behind at least 10 potential threats to kidnap or kill British or UK-based people last year.

In February the TV station Iran International was forced to close its London studios after journalists received death threats from the Iranian regime.

“The West are not aware of what they are planning and where they are heading.

“We should act now, we shouldn’t just wait to see what’s going to happen or try to see from their angle.”

Mr Beheshti who is in constant contact with his doctor, says his heart rate and blood pressure are normal at the moment but he has lost 17% of his body mass.

“At the moment I am taking things one day at a time,” he said.

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman is responsible for proscribing groups as terrorist entities.

A UK government spokesperson said: “Whilst the government keeps the list of proscribed organisations under review, we do not comment on whether a specific organisation is or is not being considered for proscription.”