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Siamak Pourzand is a journalist and film critic. He is manager of the Majmue-ye Farrhangi-ye Honari-ye Tehran, a cultural center for writers, artists, and intellectuals. In recent years, Pourzand was also a cultural commentator for several reformist newspapers that have since been shut down. He is well known for his articles critical of the Islamic regime, and is said to have been working with foreign-based Farsi language media prior to his detention.
Pourzand is the husband of writer, human rights lawyer, and editor of the now-banned Zan literary review Mehrangiz Kar. Kar, also an Honorary Member of PEN American Center, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for her participation in an academic and cultural conference held at the Heinrich Böll Institute in Berlin on April 7-9, 2000 entitled "Iran after the elections," at which political and social reform in Iran were publicly debated.
Case history:
Siamak Pourzand went missing on November 24, 2001; it was later learned that he was being
held incommunicado by the Iranian intelligence. The journalist had reportedly stated to
friends and family that he had been followed by motorcycles and one or two cars in the two
weeks before he disappeared. On March 6, 2002, Iranian authorities began closed and
unannounced proceedings against Pourzand. On May 3, 2002 the Tehran Press Court reportedly
sentenced him to 11 years in prison on charges of "undermining state security through his
links with monarchists and counter-revolutionaries." It is widely believed that the charges
against him are based on confessions that were exacted under duress during the months he was
held in incommunicado detention. Iranian authorities have offered no explanation of the
charges or case against him to date.
Current status:
Pourzand, age 72, is currently serving his 11-year term at Evin Prison in Tehran.
PEN is seriously concerned for Pourzand's well
being, as it has received reports indicating that he may have suffered one or more heart
attacks while in incommunicado detention, and that he has not been allowed access to
adequate and necessary medical attention. These reports follow a series of disturbing
reports indicating that there has been an alarming, visible decline in
Pourzand's health
in detention. In May 2003, he made an application from prison for medical assistance. There are also concerns that his trial has not been conducted according to
fair standards as articulated in the Iranian Constitution and international treaties.
PEN considers Siamak Pourzand to be detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right
to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory, and is calling for his immediate and
unconditional release.