Asylum seeker mutilates face
The week's news at a glance.
Nottingham, U.K.
An Iranian dissident poet has sewn his eyes, ears, and mouth shut to protest his possible deportation from Britain. Abas Amini was granted asylum last month, but the British government decided to appeal the decision. Amini, an Iranian Kurd, said that if he was sent back to Iran he would be executed for his past political activism. “I spent many years in prison being tortured,” he told the BBC. “I don’t know what I have to do anymore for my situation to be resolved so I can live like a human being.” Despite developing an infection in one of his sewn eyelids, Amini has refused all medicine, even painkillers, and embarked on a hunger strike.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
How to find cheaper car insurance as premiums accelerate
The Explainer Car insurance costs are rising but there are ways to put the brakes on price rises
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
What to know when planning an awe-inspiring hike on the Inca Trail
The Week Recommends Peru's most famous trail leads to Machu Picchu
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Lead poisoning remains a threat
The Explainer The toxin is built into our lives
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published