Vahid Beheshti, an Iranian dissident, has been on hunger strike outside the Foreign Office in London for 70 days, demanding that the UK government proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. He has lost more than 17kg and says his body is racked with intense pain.
Beheshti, who attended a royal coronation tea party at Buckingham Palace by wheelchair, claims the IRGC has made 10 death threats against him in the past seven months. Six other Iranians have joined him in tents outside the Foreign Office in solidarity.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has expressed concern for Beheshti's health but has not stopped to speak to him. Beheshti says he will only end his strike if he loses consciousness or the government meets his demand. His doctor warns he is causing permanent damage.
Beheshti has cross-party support from more than 120 MPs who have signed a petition backing his campaign. While the Home Office is responsible for proscribing organisations, it is understood that the Foreign Office opposes the move due to potential impact on the British diplomatic mission in Tehran.
