At breakfast time today, in Pentonville prison, London, 27-year old Kamran Ahmed became the 6th prisoner to join the national Prisoners for Palestine hunger-strike.
The hunger-protest began on the 2nd of November, with prisoners Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gibb refusing food at Bronzefield prison in Kent. They were soon joined by Heba Muraisi, in New Hall prison, Jon Cink in Bronzefield, T Hoxha, at Peterborough prison, and now by Kamran Ahmed.
The rolling hunger-strike has been called by the prisoners to protest their continued incarceration without trial, and in support of a list of demands, which include the right to a fair trial, release on bail, and the deproscription of Palestine Action.
Kamran was arrested on the 19th of November 2024, in a dramatic dawn raid by counter-terrorism police. His elderly parents were mistreated, and he was detained under the special powers of the Terrorism Act. Despite not being charged with any terrorist offences, he was refused bail, and has been in prison ever since, with a trial date of June 2026. Like the other members of the Filton 24, who have been similarly treated, Kamran is accused of being involved in a Palestine Action raid on the Filton, Bristol site of Elbit Systems, Israel’s biggest weapons maker, and the largest supplier of the killer drones used in the Genocide in Gaza. Along with the other demands, the hunger-strikers are calling for the permanent closure of Elbit’s British factories.
Prior to joining the hunger-strike, Kamran Ahmed said: “On the 10th of November, I plan to commence my hunger-strike, insh’Allah, in line with the stated demands, but also in solidarity with those who are having a harder time on remand than me. I hope the government review their decision to commence our unfair trial, and allow us to explain, before the jury, our reasons, because I honestly believe no reasonable person will convict us.”
Two weeks before the hunger-strike began, Prisoners for Palestine wrote to the British Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, with a full list of the prisoners’ demands. Despite the growing number of prisoners joining the protest, there has still been no official response from the British government. The responses at some of the prisons holding the hunger-strikers have been petty and vindictive, with movements restricted, threats made to other prisoners, and a callous disregard for the health of the hunger-strikers. Prisoners For Palestine are planning protests outside several prisons this coming weekend.
A spokesperson for the group, Francesca Nadin, said: “There are more and more prisoners now joining the collective hunger-strike, demanding justice, and to shut Elbit down. Elbit, the very same death mongers that have them locked-up through their nefarious relationship with the British state. The prisoners sacrifice is noble, and is met with the full support of the people. In just a few days, we have seen mobilisations and solidarity actions around the world, and pressure on the British state will only increase until they are forced to concede to our entirely reasonable demands.”
For media and press enquiries, contact us on prisoners4palestine@proton.me