Iranian-American Scholar Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

Iranian-American scholar, Dr. Kian Tajbakhsh, has been has been sentenced to 15 years in prison in Iran following his arrest almost four months ago. The academic was convicted on charges of ‘acting against national security’ and the courts have reportedly refused to file his appeal.

Dr. Tajbakhsh was arrested on 9th July 2009 and later charged with acting against national security for participating in an internet organisation sponsored by Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. The organisation aimed to increase the availability of information about countries in the Gulf region.

According to The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, the indictment included the following charges: Acting against national security, by membership in the internet network related to Gary Sick, a CIA agent, and other foreign elements with the purpose of urging people to riot in presidential elections; spying and connections with foreign elements against the sacred system of the Islamic Republic; accepting a consultancy position with the Soros Foundation aimed at the soft overthrow of the Islamic Republic of Iran; propaganda activities against the sacred system of the Islamic Republic by participation in illegal assemblies and causing doubt and giving impression of fraud and cheating in election results; and causing lack of public trust towards the official national organs and the ruling system by instigating rioting, mayhem, fear and terror within the society.”

In a statement released on 20th October 2009, the family and friends of Tajbakhsh stated that he has been in solitary confinement for nearly four months and was interrogated without access to his own lawyer. In what appears to be a violation of Iranian law, the authorities are refusing permission for Tajbakhsh’s lawyers to file an appeal.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

This sentence comes after months of unrest following the disputed presidential vote on 12th June 2009 which saw President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad retain the presidency. Protests against alleged electoral fraud and in support of the independent reformist candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi have resulted in hundreds of arrests and sentences. The Iranian authorities have refused to release full details of all of the convictions and international news agencies have faced severe restrictions in the country.

Tajbakhsh was also arrested and detained for three months in the summer of 2007 in relation to his work with the George Soros affiliated Open Society Institute (OSI) and following his release he resigned from his position as consultant. The OSI have released a statement criticising his sentencing and calling for his immediate release.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send appeals:

1. Urging the authorities to re-examine the circumstances of Dr. Tajbakhsh’s arrest and conviction and to work for his immediate release, ensuring access to legal counsel and to family;

2. Insisting that Dr. Tajbakhsh’s lawyers be immediately allowed to file an appeal against the sentencing, as permitted by Iranian law.

APPEALS TO:

His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
President, Islamic Republic of Iran
Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

His Excellency Gholam-Hossein Elham
Ministry of Justice
Park-e Shahr
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran

COPIES TO:

Mr. Mohammad Khazaee, Ambassador of Iran to the United Nations
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
622 Third Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10017, USA

PLEASE ALSO SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

Programme Officer, Network for Education and Academic Rights
90 London Road,
SE1 9LN
London, UK
contact@nearinternational.org

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Alert - Iran

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