A man on a prolonged hunger strike in the UK is now confronting the risk of permanent, irreversible physical harm as his protest enters a critical phase. Kamran Ahmed, 28, is on day 57 of his fast and has been hospitalised for a fifth time, with medical staff warning of a dangerous threshold being crossed.
Deteriorating Health and Hospital Concerns
During his latest hospital admission last week, Ahmed reported being restrained with double handcuffs throughout his stay, resulting in badly swollen wrists. The physical toll of his protest has become so severe that medical professionals struggled to insert a cannula due to his dramatically shrunken veins.
His condition has now escalated to include sporadic hearing loss, signalling that the hunger strike is pushing his body towards a point of no return. Health experts have raised serious concerns about his care during multiple hospital visits, with the looming threats of organ failure, paralysis, brain damage, or sudden death becoming increasingly real possibilities.
Government Stance and Legal Action
Despite the grave and escalating medical crisis, the British Government has declined to engage directly with Ahmed, his fellow hunger striker Heba Muraisi, 32, or their representatives. Both individuals are on remand awaiting trial and have not eaten for over two months.
James Timpson, the minister of state for prisons, probation and reducing reoffending, told the Independent that the government is "very experienced at dealing with hunger strikes," citing an average of over 200 incidents annually over the past five years. He emphasised that ministers do not intervene in individual cases to avoid prejudicing legal proceedings and to uphold the separation of powers.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson reiterated this position, stating that welfare concerns should be raised through established legal and administrative channels. In response, legal representatives for the activists have launched legal action against the Government, warning their clients are facing "potential death."
The Striker's Motivation and Fears
Ahmed, from London, is facing allegations related to an incident in August 2024, where he is accused of breaking into the UK premises of an Israeli defence contractor near Bristol, allegedly causing £1 million in damage.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, Ahmed revealed the profound personal cost of his protest. "Every day I'm scared that potentially I might die," he said, describing regular chest pains and sensations like his body was vibrating or being tasered. He recounted a nurse's plea from early in his strike: "'I'm scared you're not going to wake up (when you go to sleep). Please eat something.'"
Despite his fear, Ahmed stated he looks at the "bigger picture" of relieving oppression abroad and the situations of his co-defendants, weighing the risks as "worthwhile."
Francesca Nadin, a spokesperson for the group Prisoners for Palestine, said the hunger strikers continue to deteriorate as they enter the third month of their protest, but remain firm in their belief that continuing is "the only way to get justice in the face of the government's contempt for life."
