Academic Facing Additional Charges of Espionage
Iranian-American scholar Kian Tajbakhsh has again been brought before the Revolutionary Court on further spying allegations. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in October 2009, during a clampdown by the Iranian authorities after the recent presidential elections.
Iran has brought new charges of espionage against Kian Tajbakhsh who has been detained since 9th July 2009. The academic was originally convicted on charges of ‘acting against national security’ and the courts have reportedly refused to file his appeal. His family have denied that the 47-year-old was involved in the post-election protests.
Dr Tajbakhsh was sentenced to 15 years in prison in October and may now face a harsher penalty following these fresh charges. The Presidency of the European Union and the U.S White House have both released statements condemning the sentencing and expressing concern about reports about the new charges.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Kian Tajbakhsh was arrested amidst post-election protests, during which many students and academics alleged electoral fraud and showed support the independent reformist candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi. 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.
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Alert - Iran
| Date: | 10 December 2009 |
| Source: | Associated Press |
| Classification: | Media Article |
| Violation: | Arrested and Detained on False Charges |
| Affected Persons: | Kian Tajbakhsh |
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