Reports on Alkhawaja’s health as he reaches day 84 of “freedom or death” hunger strike

Bahrain Live Coverage: The Regime Plays for Time
1 May, 2012 – Scott Lucas – Excerpted EA WorldView

Detained activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, on Day 83 of his hunger strike, with BBC correspondent Frank Gardner (see 1241 GMT)

1441 GMT: BBC correspondent Frank Gardner, in addition to his five-minute visit with detained hunger striker Abdulhadi Alkhawaja (see 1241 GMT), has also reported:

1241 GMT: BBC correspondent Frank Gardner has been allowed a five-minute visit with detained activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, on Day 83 of his hunger strike, in a military hospital today. The BBC posts a photograph (see top of entry) and a rather confused report.

Mr Khawaja said his medical treatment had been good “except for the force-feeding”, something officials deny.

He said he had been walking for three days and appeared thin but alert….He was dressed in overalls and sitting on the edge of his bed, unrestrained.

Our correspondent says the 51 year old was drinking fluids, and hospital staff said he was also drinking regular nutritional supplements. However, Mr Khawaja said he would continue his hunger strike, which began on 8 February….

Hospital staff told our correspondent that Mr Khawaja was getting “VIP treatment” and that they had been frustrated at reports from his supporters that he was being mistreated.

So is Alkhawaja, still mobile despite all three months without food, voluntarily “drinking… nutritional supplements” or is he being force-fed? …more