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Iran - Amir Abbas Fakhravar
Writer Amir Abbas Fakhravar, aged 26, was sentenced to eight years in prison around the 10 November 2002 . He was convicted of “defamation” for criticising the supreme leadership of Iran in his book Inja Chah Nist (‘This Place is Not a Ditch’) .
His situation became more critical when, on 4 February 2003, he and
fellow prisoner, student Ahmed Batebi, co-wrote an open letter to the Iranian authorities criticising the government and demanding a referendum on the future government of Iran. The letter specifically accused the Iranian President Ayatollah Khatami of disregarding the reformist agenda to which he had claimed his commitment since coming to power.
Fakhravar, who had been granted a period of leave from Evin prison, was ordered to appear in court on 18 March 2003 to hear his appeal against the eight year prison term. At this hearing he was denied representation by the two lawyers who had represented him on previous occasions. After an argument with the judge he was set upon and beaten by court officers in front of the court officials and his parents who were attending the trial. He was then transferred to Qasr prison. It is thought that his severe treatment was linked to his criticism of the government in the open letter.
There are repeated reports of ill-treatment suffered by Fakhravar in jail. In Qasr, Fakhravar was held amongst common law prisoners and denied medical treatment for the reportedly severe injuries sustained at the 18 March court hearing and an existing foot injury. He is also said to have been repeatedly attacked in staged assaults by fellow in-mates. In January 2004 he was taken from Qasr prison to the “125” military detention centre run by the Revolutionary Guards where he was interrogated about alleged links with an opposition organisation called Jonbesh-e Azadi-ye Iraniyan. He was said to be held in solitary confinement and subjected to a technique of sensory deprivation known as “white torture”. On or around 8 February 2004, Fakhravar was allowed to leave the detention centre but was taken back into custody two days later. While he was free, he was able to tell others about what was being done to him. He is now held in Hall 1 of the Amoozesh-gaah Ward of Evin Prison.
PEN is alarmed by the detention and ill-treatment of writer, journalist, and law student Amir Abbas Fakhravar. It is calling for his immediate and unconditional release. It demands as a matter of urgency that his whereabouts be confirmed, and that while he remains in detention, he be treated humanely and granted access to all necessary medical care.
To see the letter written by Fakhravar and his colleagues click Letter from Iranian students.
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HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP: |
Please write a polite letter to the Iranian authorities requesting that
Amir Abbas Fakhravar be released and that he be treated humanely while he remains
in detention.
You may copy the suggested text for your
appeal or create your own.
Date
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khameni
Leader of the Islamic Republic
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: C/O the Iranian Interests Section in Washington, DC, 1-202-965-1073
Your Excellency,
I am writing to express my serious and urgent concern about the detention and ill-treatment of
writer, journalist, and law student Amir Abbas Fakhravar. As you know, in November
of 2002, Mr. Fakhravar was sentenced to eight years in prison, convicted
of "defamation" for criticizing the supreme leadership of Iran in his book Inja Chah Nist.
I am particularly concerned by reports indicating that
Mr. Fakhravar was beaten by court officers in front of
court officials and his parents at his appeal hearing in March of 2003.
I understand that he was denied medical treatment for the
reportedly severe injuries sustained at the March court
hearing and an existing foot injury. He is also said to have been
repeatedly attacked in staged assaults by fellow in-mates.
I join writers world-wide in condemning the sentence against Mr Fakhravar and I call for his immediate and unconditional release.
I also ask that he be treated humanely and receive access to all
necessary medical care as a matter of urgency.
Sincerely,
Your name and signature
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