MANAMA, Bahrain, April 10 (UPI) -- Bahrain said Tuesday the health of political hunger-striker Abdulhadi al-Khawaja had "severely deteriorated," possibly endangering his life.
Khawaja, a Shiite, began his hunger strike Jan. 30, protesting the life sentence he received last year for demonstrating against Bahrain's Sunni Muslim royal family.
The government-run Bahrain News Agency said two international medical experts evaluated Khawaja Sunday and Monday at Bahrain Defense Force Royal Medical Services hospital.
A medical report said his health had "severely deteriorated since his detention last year."
Since he began the hunger strike, the report said, he has lost more than 22 pounds and his white blood count is low.
"If he continues a hunger strike and does not allow any medical interference, his life will be in serious danger," the report said.
CNN reported Monday the U.N. urged Bahrain to consider transferring Khawaja, who holds Danish citizenship, to Denmark on humanitarian grounds. Human rights groups have called for the release of Khawaja, who is being fed intravenously.
Amnesty International and 14 other rights groups urged U.S. President Barack Obama to demand Bahrain release Khawaja.
"The evidence is clear that al-Khawaja and others were sentenced in violation of their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association, which are protected under international law," the groups said in a letter to Obama.
