A British activist detained on charges linked to the proscribed organization Palestine Action has been hospitalized following a severe health deterioration during his hunger strike. Kamran Ahmed, currently held at London’s Pentonville prison, initiated the protest action alongside five other inmates earlier this month after UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood failed to address their concerns regarding prison conditions.
The collective hunger strike coincides with a three-day judicial review at London’s High Court examining the government’s controversial decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation in July 2024. This designation effectively criminalizes membership or any form of support for the direct action group.
According to the campaign organization Prisoners for Palestine (PFP), Ahmed experienced a medical emergency on Friday, collapsing in his cell with dangerously low blood sugar levels indicative of hypoglycemia. The asthmatic activist had reportedly been suffering from dizziness, respiratory complications, chest pains, and significant weight loss—dropping from 74kg to 68kg—with medical tests revealing critically elevated ketone levels.
Ahmed’s sister, Shahmina Alam, provided Middle East Eye with disturbing details about the incident, revealing that her brother regained consciousness alone on his cell floor after fainting. Despite requests for emergency medical intervention, Alam claims prison authorities initially refused to call a second ambulance after paramedics declined hospitalization on Saturday, stating they could not intervene in a hunger strike situation.
The Ministry of Justice responded to inquiries by emphasizing that “any prisoner assessed as needing hospital treatment is immediately taken to hospital,” while simultaneously noting legal restrictions preventing them from sharing healthcare information with unverified callers.
Meanwhile, the five other participating prisoners across multiple facilities are experiencing accelerating health declines. Qesser Zurah and Amu Gib at HMP Bronzefield, along with Heba Muraisi at HMP New Hall and Jon Cink at Bronzefield, have reported rapid weight loss and deteriorating physical conditions. PFP documents indicate prison medical staff initially displayed reluctance to conduct examinations and were reportedly “hostile” toward the strikers.
The situation has drawn significant political attention, with former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn writing to Justice Minister David Lammy expressing “grave concern” and demanding an urgent meeting regarding his constituent’s treatment. Over 100 medical professionals have additionally signed a letter to NHS England’s health and justice team urging immediate intervention.
Prison authorities maintain that all inmates are managed according to established policies and procedures, with HMP Bronzefield emphasizing available channels for addressing complaints through proper institutional frameworks.