Long-term detention of writers and journalists

The following writers are all serving prison sentences of up to eleven years for their writings: Abbas Abdi, Hashem Aghajari, Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari, Amir Abbas Fakhravar, Akbar Ganji, Hossein Ghaziyan, Alireza Jabari, Siamak Pourzand, Khalil Rostamkhani, Said Sadr, Nasser Zarafshan, Taghi Rahmani, Reza Alijani and Hoda Saber.Their case histories appear below.

Abbas ABDI
***
Profession: Journalist and Director of the Ayandeh public opinion firm.
Date of arrest: November 4, 2002.
Sentence: 9 years and six months' imprisonment.
Expires: May 3, 2012.
Details of arrest: Detained on charges of 'having received money from either the US polling firm Gallup or a foreign embassy.' The head of court 1410 (known as the press court) also ordered a search of his house. This followed the publication of an Ayandeh poll indicating overwhelming support for a resumption of Iran's ties with the US by the official news agency.
Details of trial: His trial began on December 1, 2002, and he was sentenced to eight years in prison on February 2, 2003. In April 2003 his sentence was reduced on appeal to four-and-a-half years, but was reportedly extended by five years in October 2003 for a count on the charge sheet that has not been made public.
Place of detention: Evin Prison.
Treatment in detention: Reportedly moved into incommunicado detention in March 2003 for further questioning and all contact with family and lawyer severed. Fears of ill-treatment. Suffering from a severe pain in his right foot and making repeated requests for a doctor.
Health concerns: It has been reported that Abbas Abdi is on hunger strike and has lost a great deal of weight. His family has had no information about him since September 10, 2003.
Professional details: Abdi, a former editor of the now-closed daily Salam, has worked for many pro-reform newspapers.
Previous detentions: Abdi was detained for 11 months in 1991 for criticising then-president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

Hashem AGHAJARI
***
Profession: Prominent reformist intellectual. Head of the history department at the Tarbiat Modarress University in Tehran.
Date of arrest: August 2002
Details of arrest: Detained in connection with a speech in which he reportedly rejected demands to "blindly follow" clerical rule.
Details of trial: He was sentenced to death for apostasy on November 9, 2002 by the Fourteenth District Court in the western city of Hamadan. In addition to the death sentence Aghajari was sentenced to 74 lashes, eight years' imprisonment and internal exile and a 10-year teaching ban. On November 17, 2002 Ayatollah Khameni ordered the sentence to be reconsidered following extensive student protests, and on December 2nd Professor Aghajari's lawyer lodged an appeal. On December 10, 2002 a senior Iranian justice official reportedly tendered his resignation in protest against the severity of the sentence. In February 2003 it was reported that the death sentence had been quashed, but Aghajari faces retrial before the same court and the death penalty may be reinstated. Aghajari remains in detention.
Honorary member of: Norwegian PEN.

Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi ESHKEVARI
***
D.o.b.: 1950
Profession: Researcher and journalist. Director of the Ali Shariati Research Centre and contributing editor of the newspaper Iran-e Farda, banned in April 2000.
Date of arrest: 5 August 2000
Sentence: 7 years
Expires: October 2007
Details of arrest: Eshkevari was arrested at his home, a few hours after he flew into Tehran from a trip to Europe. He was one of a number of Iranian writers, journalists and academics who attended a conference 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. Eshkevari reportedly learned that a warrant had been issued for his arrest shortly after the conference, and had since been staying in Germany and France. Many other prominent Iranian intellectuals who attended the Berlin conference were arrested and charged.
Details of trial: Eshkevari's trial was held behind closed doors from October 7-17, 2000 in the Special Court for the Clergy. He is believed to have been convicted of "acting against national security" in connection with a speech he gave at the conference, "defaming government officials in articles", "starting a campaign against the system", and "denying and insulting the holy religion of Islam". He was also additionally charged with "declaring war on God", "being corrupt on earth", and apostasy, all of which carry the death penalty, but the latter three charges were overturned. New charges of 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic' and 'insulting top-rank officials' were filed against him at the Special Court for the Clergy, for which he received a sentence of seven years' imprisonment on October 17, 2002 - five of which he will have to serve. His sentence was upheld upon appeal on March 7, 2003. Will be eligible to apply for conditional release in January 2004.
Health concerns: Eshkevari is an insulin-dependent diabetic, and there are unconfirmed reports that he has been unable to obtain insulin in custody. In October 2003 the Special Court for Clerics reportedly agreed to give him 5 days leave from prison per month for medical treatment. He is said to have suffered an eye haemorrhage in prison caused by diabetes.
Place of detention: Transferred to Prison 59, a military detention centre, in April 2001. Held incommunicado until mid-July 2001.
Other information: Adopted by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in 2001.
Honorary member of: Canadian, Danish, Ghanaian, American, Scottish and English PEN Centres.

To read more about Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari, please visit the Honorary Member section of the Freedom to Write website by clicking here.

Amir Abbas FAKHRAVAR
***
Profession: Writer, journalist for the now-banned pro-reform dailies Mosharekat and Khordad, and medical student.
Date of arrest: November 10, 2002
Sentence: Eight years in prison
Details of trial: Sentenced by Bench 26 of the Revolutionary Court on or around the November 10, 2002 to eight years in prison for criticising the supreme leadership of Iran in his book Inja Chah Nist ('This Place is Not a Ditch'), shortlisted for the 2001/2 Paulo Coelho Literary Prize. Following a period of leave from Evin prison he was ordered to appear in court on March 18, 2003 for an appeal hearing. When he appeared he was denied representation by the two lawyers who had represented him on previous occasions. After an argument with the judge he was beaten in front of Bench 26 before being transferred to prison. It is thought that he may have been targeted for writing an open letter to the authorities on February 4, 2003 criticising the Iranian government and demanding a referendum on the future government of Iran.
Place of detention: Qasr prison
Treatment in prison: Reportedly held amongst common law prisoners and is being denied medical treatment for the reportedly severe injuries sustained in court and an existing foot injury. Said to have been repeatedly attacked in staged assaults by fellow in-mates.
Health concerns: Thought to have sustained a broken leg during the court assault.
Other information: His sister and brother-in-law were reportedly arrested on June 17, 2003 for talking to journalists about the incarceration of Amir Abbas Fakhravar.

Akbar GANJI
***
Profession: Journalist.
Date of arrest: April 22, 2000
Sentence: 6 years' imprisonment.
Expires: April 21, 2006
Details of arrest: Arrested following his participation in an academic and cultural conference held in Berlin on April 7-9, 2000 entitled "Iran after the elections", at which political and social reform in Iran were publicly debated.
Details of trial: Trial started on November 9, 2000 at the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. On January 13, 2001 he was sentenced by Bench 3 of Tehran's Revolutionary Court to ten years' imprisonment plus five years' internal exile, four years for his attendance at the conference and six years for other charges, including "spreading propaganda against the Islamic regime", for a series of articles he had written implicating leading figures in the murders of several dissidents and intellectuals in the mid-late 90's. On May 15, 2001 an appeal court reduced his 10-year sentence to six months and overturned his additional sentence of five years internal exile. However, although he had served the entire sentence, the Tehran judiciary challenged the appeal court decision and brought new charges against him in connection with newspaper articles he wrote prior to April 2000. Sentenced on July 16, 2001 to six years' imprisonment on charges of collecting confidential information harmful to national security and spreading propaganda against the Islamic system. On October 15, 2003 he was reported to have appeared before an examining magistrate to answer questions about his book Prison-like Archipelago. There are said to be several cases pending against Ganji for articles he has written, including charges of 'propaganda against the regime' and publishing lies, insult and libel.
Professional details: Author of the best-selling book Dungeon of Ghosts, a collection of Ganji's newspaper articles published in early 2000, in which he implicated the former president, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and other leading conservative figures in the "serial murders" of 1998. The book is said to have seriously damaged the reputation of Rafsanjani, and is thought to have been a major factor in the conservative defeat in the parliamentary elections of February 2000.
Place of detention: Evin Prison.
Treatment in prison: Reported in April 2003 to have spent 70 days in solitary confinement.
Health concerns: In April 2003 his wife reported that he had been refused necessary hospital treatment for a back complaint. Said to be looking well physically and mentally in October 2003.
Other information: Recipient of the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) 2000 International Press Freedom Award.
Honorary member of: Canadian, American, Liechenstein and English PEN Centres.

To read more about Akbar Ganji, please visit the Honorary Member section of the Freedom to Write website by clicking here.

Hossein GHAZIYAN
***
Profession: University lecturer and director of the Ayandeh Research Group. Formerly worked for the now-banned newspaper Nowrooz.
Date of arrest: October 31, 2002.
Sentence: Nine years' imprisonment.
Expires: October 30, 2011.
Details of arrest: Detained by judicial officials on following a search of his Tehran office. The Ayandeh Research Group has since been closed down according to an order by the judiciary.
Details of trial: Ghaziyan's trial began on December 1, 2002, and he was sentenced on February 2, 2003.
Place of detention: Evin Prison, Tehran.

Alireza JABARI
***
Profession: Translator and freelance contributor to several independent newspapers, including Adineh and Shahrvand.
Date of arrest: March 16, 2003
Sentence: 4 years in prison, reduced to three years on appeal.
Expires: March 15, 2006
Details of arrest: Summoned to the Police Department on March 16, 2003, where he is feared to have been ill-treated.
Details of trial: Sentenced on April 19, 2003 to four years' imprisonment, 253 lashes and a fine of six million rials for 'consuming and distributing alcoholic drinks' and 'adultery and incitement to immoral acts.' It is believed that Jabari is being targeted for his membership of the Iranian Writers' Organisation and for sending materials to foreign-based news websites. His lawyer was not allowed to attend his trial.
Place of detention: Qasr prison, Tehran.
Health concerns: Suffers from diabetes and a heart complaint.
Previous political imprisonment/problems: Previously arrested on December 28, 2002 from his office in Tehran by individuals in civilian clothes. He was escorted to his home, which was searched, and videos, books and his computer's hard drive were seized. Held in solitary confinement until his release on February 5, 2003.

Siamak POURZAND
***
D.o.b.: 1930
Profession: Journalist and film critic.
Date of arrest: November 24, 2001.
Sentence: 11 years' imprisonment.
Expires: November 23, 2012
Details of arrest: Abducted by the Iranian intelligence services on November 24, 2001. It is thought that his arrest may be connected to his position as manager of the Majmue-ye Farrhangi-ye Honari-ye Tehran, a cultural centre for writers, artists, and intellectuals. Pourzand is also known for his articles critical of the Islamic regime, and is said to have worked with Iranian foreign-based media. His family has not been informed of his whereabouts, and he has reportedly been denied access to his lawyer and medical assistance since his arrest.
Details of trial: On March 6, 2002, the Iranian authorities began closed and unannounced proceedings against Pourzand. On May 3, 2002 the Tehran Press Court reportedly sentenced him to eleven years' imprisonment 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' which are thought to have been exacted under duress. The sentence was reportedly confirmed around July 7, 2002 following an appeal by his court-appointed lawyers.
Place of detention: Evin Prison
Health concerns: Pourzand suffers from diabetes and a heart complaint. Said to have been denied necessary medical treatment in detention, and reported by his family to be in a serious condition. In May 2003 he made an application from prison for medical assistance.
Treatment in prison: In late July 2002 it was reported that some days earlier Pourzand had appeared on state television and confessed to espionage and denounced other intellectuals and writers. He was in apparent distress and there are concerns that he has been placed under extreme duress.
Other information: Siamak Pourzand is the husband of writer and lawyer Mehrangiz Kar.
Honorary Member: Norwegian, Canadian and American PEN

To read more about Siamak Pourzand, please visit the Honorary Member section of the Freedom to Write website by clicking here.

Khalil ROSTAMKHANI
***
D.o.b.: 1953
Profession: Translator and journalist with the Daily News and Iran Echo.
Date of arrest: May 8, 2000
Sentence: 9 years' imprisonment, reduced to eight years on appeal.
Expires: May 2008.
Details of arrest: Detained with translator Said Sadr (see below) for his involvement in an academic and cultural conference held at the Heinrich Böll Institute in Berlin on April 7-9th entitled "Iran after the elections", at which political and social reform in Iran were publicly debated. The conference was marked by strong protests by Iranian political groups in exile, and was considered by members of the Iranian judiciary to be aimed at overthrowing the Islamic regime and therefore to be "harmful to national security".
Details of trial: Rostamkhani appeared in court on November 9, 2000. He is thought to be charged with being a 'mohareb' ('fighter against god'), having 'received and distributed leaflets and press releases from opposition groups based abroad and of having participated in the organisation of the Berlin conference, which posed a threat to the country's security'. He was reportedly released on bail on November 15, 2000. On January 13, 2001 Bench 3 of Tehran's Revolutionary Court announced that he had been convicted and sentenced for organising the Berlin conference. He remained free on bail pending appeal. His appeal was heard at Branch 31 of the Supreme Court on August 27, 2001, and his conviction was upheld though his sentence was reduced by one year. He was immediately taken into custody. He is said to be seeking a re-trial.
Place of detention: Bandar Abbas prison, southern Iran.
Other information: Has a wife and child in Germany.
Previous political imprisonment/problems: Previously arrested in June 1990 for his membership of the Organisation for Communist Unity, and sentenced to three years' imprisonment. Released in May 1992 under amnesty.
Honorary member of: PEN America and Canada.

To read more about Kahlil Rostamkhani, please visit the Honorary Member section of the Freedom to Write website by clicking here.

Said SADR
***
Profession: Translator and editor.
Date of arrest: May 8, 2000
Sentence: 10 years in prison.
Expires: May 7, 2010.
Details of arrest: Detained with Khalil Rostamkhani (see above) for his involvement in academic and cultural conference held at the Heinrich Böll Institute in Berlin on April 7-9th entitled "Iran after the elections", at which political and social reform in Iran were publicly debated. The conference was marked by strong protests by Iranian political groups in exile, and was considered by members of the Iranian judiciary to be aimed at overthrowing the Islamic regime and therefore to be "harmful to national security".
Details of trial: Sentenced in November 2000 for having participated in the organisation of the Berlin conference, which allegedly 'posed a threat to the country's security'.
Place of detention: Birjand
Professional details: Has served as editor and translator on a number of publications since 1979.

Nasser ZARAFSHAN
***
D.o.b: 1946.
Profession: Author, translator and barrister.
Date of arrest: August 7, 2002.
Sentence: Five years' imprisonment (2 years' for disseminating state secrets, 3 years' for the possession of firearms) and seventy lashes for the possession of alcohol.
Expires: August 6, 2007
Details of trial: The Judicial Organisation of Armed Forces (JOAF) brought the original complaint against Zarafshan and arrested him in October 2000. He was released after a month pending trial. In February 2002 he was tried behind closed doors by a military court, and was sentenced on March 19, 2002. The presiding judge was also a prosecutor with the JOAF. Zarafshan has repeatedly denied the charges against him, asserting that he was simply carrying out his duties as an attorney, and alleging that the weapons and alcohol were planted in his office, which was reportedly searched while he was in detention. On April 6, 2002 he reportedly told the Iranian Students News Agency that he would appeal against the sentence and demand a retrial, adding that 'the Armed Forces' Judicial Department does not have the competence to investigate charges against civilians.' However, his sentence was upheld by an appeals court on July 16, 2002. Zarafshan has reportedly appealed to the Supreme Court and is currently awaiting a decision. He is said to be undergoing medical examinations to ascertain whether he is healthy enough to face the flogging sentence.
Place of detention: Evin Prison, Tehran.
Treatment in prison: Zarafshan is reported to be in 'quite satisfactory' health.
Professional details: A distinguished member of the Iranian Writers' Association (Kanoon), the Committee on Serial Killings in Iran and the Iranian Bar Association, Nasser Zarafshan is the legal representative of two of the families of Iranian writers assassinated in November 1998 in what came to be known in Iran as the 'serial murders' case. The action against Zarafshan is thought to be both in retribution for his criticism of the official investigation carried out into the murders, and also as a means of silencing others who seek the truth behind the killings. On January 29, 2003 the Iranian Supreme Court commuted the death sentences of at least two former secret agents found guilty of the murders.
Honorary member: Norwegian PEN Centre, Canadian PEN, English PEN, Swedish PEN.

To read more about Nasser Zarafshan, please visit the Honorary Member section of the Freedom to Write website by clicking here.

Taghi RAHMANI, Reza ALIJANI and Hoda SABER
***
Profession: Journalist with the banned weekly Omid-é-Zangan, editor-in-chief and co-editor of the banned monthly Iran-é-Farda respectively.
Date of arrest: June 14, 2003.
Sentence: Not known.
Details of arrest: Rahmani, Alijani and Saber were reportedly arrested at their homes in Tehran on June 14, 2003 for meeting secretly with students in support of the anti-government protests that began on June 10, 2003. The charges against them are thought to include 'attempting to overthrow the state" and 'acting against national security'.
Details of trial: On October 15, 2003 a spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary confirmed that they had been tried in camera and were 'serving prison terms' but no details about the charges against them or their sentences have been released.
Place of detention: Evin Prison.
Treatment in prison: Held in solitary confinement and without access to their families or lawyer. Feared to be at risk of torture. Said to have started a hunger strike.
Previous political imprisonment/problems: They are among seven journalists who were sentenced on May 10, 2003 for their membership of the National Religious Alliance (Melli Mazhabi) (see 'sentenced, free on bail' below).

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