Jailed journalist improves after ending hunger strike

THE dissident Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji has broken a two-month-long hunger strike and his condition, which had been life-threatening, is improving, his wife said yesterday.

The outspoken journalist, who was jailed in 2000 after writing a string of articles linking top officials to political murders, had been refusing food in an effort to gain unconditional release from prison.

"He is now following the diet and medicine prescribed by doctors," his wife, Massoumeh Shafii, said.

Ms Shafii said judiciary officials had allowed her to visit Ganji at Milad Hospital in Tehran for the first time in almost three weeks.

"He looked all right in general and will improve if he continues to co-operate," she said.

Supporters had urged Ganji to end his hunger strike, fearing he was about to die.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan last week added his voice to calls from the White House and EU for Ganji's release.