Medical Experts Warn of Imminent Death for Jailed Activist on Thirst Strike
Medical professionals warned on Saturday that a 22-year-old activist detained at HMP Wormwood Scrubs faces imminent death after escalating his protest to a thirst strike. Muhammad Umer Khalid refuses all fluids, this decision has prompted urgent warnings regarding acute kidney failure within 48 hours.
Months of Detention Disputes Lead to Critical Standoff
The current emergency follows a coordinated hunger strike that began on November 2, 2025. It involves members of Palestine Action, they were arrested for direct-action protests targeting weapons manufacturers. The government designated the group as a terrorist organization in July 2025, this legal shift denies the prisoners certain rights afforded to standard inmates. While other strikers ended their fasts in mid-January, Khalid resumed his protest after a brief medical pause. He suffers from Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, a rare genetic condition that causes muscle wasting. Physicians state that this disorder makes the lack of fluids significantly more dangerous, it accelerates the timeline for fatal organ failure compared to typical cases.
Medical Experts Issue Urgent Warning on Saturday
Dr. Rupa Marya cautioned that Khalid entered a lethal phase on January 24, 2026. She noted that his kidneys are at immediate risk of shutting down, she predicted he could die as early as Monday. The escalating crisis triggered a large public reaction outside the prison walls. Police arrested 86 individuals for aggravated trespass on Saturday night, they had breached prison grounds to demonstrate support for the dying prisoner.
The Ministry of Justice maintains that bail decisions remain with the independent judiciary, officials have declined to negotiate directly with the prisoners regarding their release dates. The primary demand from the strikers focuses on their immediate release on bail. Khalid is currently held on remand and is not scheduled to stand trial until January 2027. This schedule means he faces nearly 20 months in prison before a verdict is reached, a situation his supporters describe as punishment without trial.
Legal Experts Warn of Consequences Regarding Pre-Trial Detention
This campaign marks the most significant prison protest in the UK since 1981. The activists claim a partial victory after the Ministry of Defense withheld a £2 billion contract from Elbit Systems. However, legal observers express deep concern over the use of extended pre-trial detention for political protesters. The proscription of the group creates a chilling effect on civil disobedience, it allows authorities to apply counter-terrorism laws to demonstrators who damage property.
The next two days are critical for the inmate's survival. Observers warn that a death in custody could spark widespread civil unrest across the nation, officials continue to monitor the situation closely as legal teams seek emergency interventions.
