Americans face uncertain fate in Iran
Although Iran has recently released scholar Haleh Esfandiari and journalist Parnaz Azima, three Americans are still being held or are missing, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported today.
Kian Tajbakhsh, a consultant with the Open Society Institute, has been detained since May under allegations of acting against Iran’s national security, and was recently told that he would be released soon. Tehran, however, has still not determined bail or a release date for him.
Iranian-American Ali Shakeri – a peace activist and businessman who serves on the Community Advisory Board of the Center for Citizen Peacebuilding at the University of California, Irvine – has been imprisoned since May. Little is known about his case, and the deputy prosecutor has said that, “The time has not yet arrived for providing full information about his situation.”
Former FBI-agent Robert Levinson disappeared while visiting Kish Island off of the southern coast of Iran in March. His family reports that he was trying to find information about cigarette smuggling. His wife, Christine Levinson, has been working with officials and is attempting to meet with President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to find out more information.
“I really have no information other than the last place he was seen was on Kish Island and his passport has not been seen in any other country and we have no record of him leaving Kish Island. So I really believe he’s still there,” Christine Levinson told Radio Farda.
The detention of Esfandiari and Azima, along with the remaining prisoners, has had a chilling effect on Iranians. People are afraid that by cooperating with the United States, they will be seen as an opponent of Iran, and face imprisonment.
For the full article, click here.
Kian Tajbakhsh, a consultant with the Open Society Institute, has been detained since May under allegations of acting against Iran’s national security, and was recently told that he would be released soon. Tehran, however, has still not determined bail or a release date for him.
Iranian-American Ali Shakeri – a peace activist and businessman who serves on the Community Advisory Board of the Center for Citizen Peacebuilding at the University of California, Irvine – has been imprisoned since May. Little is known about his case, and the deputy prosecutor has said that, “The time has not yet arrived for providing full information about his situation.”
Former FBI-agent Robert Levinson disappeared while visiting Kish Island off of the southern coast of Iran in March. His family reports that he was trying to find information about cigarette smuggling. His wife, Christine Levinson, has been working with officials and is attempting to meet with President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to find out more information.
“I really have no information other than the last place he was seen was on Kish Island and his passport has not been seen in any other country and we have no record of him leaving Kish Island. So I really believe he’s still there,” Christine Levinson told Radio Farda.
The detention of Esfandiari and Azima, along with the remaining prisoners, has had a chilling effect on Iranians. People are afraid that by cooperating with the United States, they will be seen as an opponent of Iran, and face imprisonment.
For the full article, click here.
posted by Gillian @ 9/19/2007 01:36:00 PM
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