Two Palestine Action hunger strikers in UK prisons admitted to hospital

Two Palestine Action hunger strikers in UK prisons admitted to hospital Kamran Ahmed and Amu Gib have been hospitalised as a rolling hunger strike that began 50 days ago raises alarm. London, United Kingdom - Two Palestine Action-affiliated remand prisoners on hunger strike have been taken to hospital, according to a family member and a friend, adding to fears that the young Britons refusing food in protest could die at any moment. Twenty-eight-year-old Kamran Ahmed , who is being held at Pentonville prison in London, was hospitalised on Saturday, his sister, Shahmina Alam, told Al Jazeera. Recommended Stories list of 4 items list 1 of 4 Palestine Action hunger strikers could die in prison: Families, lawyers list 2 of 4 Palestine Action hunger strikers risk dying in UK Prisons, say lawyers list 3 of 4 Palestine Action hunger strikers are ‘dying’ in prison, UK doctor warns list 4 of 4 Vigil in London for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel Amu Gib, 30, who has not eaten food for 50 days at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, was taken to hospital on Friday, said the Prisoners for Palestine group and friend Nida Jafri, who is in regular contact with them. Gib uses the pronoun they. Ahmed and Gib are among six detainees protesting across five prisons over their alleged involvement in break-ins at the United Kingdom’s subsidiary of the Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems in Bristol and a Royal Air Force base in Oxfordshire. They deny the charges against them, such as burglary and violent disorder. “It’s day 42 [of Ahmed’s hunger strike], and at this point, there’s significant risk of organ damage,” said his sister, Alam. “We know that he’s rapidly been losing weight in the last few days, losing up to half a kilogram [1.1lbs] a day.” Ahmed’s last recorded weight was 60kg (132lbs). When Al Jazeera first interviewed Alam on December 12, Ahmed, who is 180cm (5′ 11”), weighed 64kg (141lbs), having entered prison at a healthy 74kg (163lbs). On Thursday, Alam told journalists at a news conference in London that he weighed 61.5kg (136lbs). Ahmed’s speech was slurred in a call with the family on Friday, said Alam. He is said to be suffering from high ketone levels and chest pains. “Honestly, I don’t know how he’s going to come out of this one,” said Alam. It is the third time Ahmed has been hospitalised since he joined the hunger strike. ‘Critical stage’ The hunger strikers’ demands include immediate bail, the right to a fair trial and the de-proscription of Palestine Action, which accuses the UK government of complicity in Israel’s war crimes in Gaza. The UK government banned Palestine Action in July, branding it a “terror” group, a label that applies to groups such as ISIL (ISIS). The protesters have called for an end to their alleged censorship in prison, accusing authorities of withholding mail, calls and books. They are also urging that all Elbit sites be closed. The six are expected to be held for more...

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