Author(s): Cathy McCann - WiPC Asia and Middle East Researcher
Date: 28th February, 2007
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Iranian Kurdish journalist, writer and human rights activist Adnan Hassanpour, who has been held incommunicado since 25 January 2007. International PEN fears that he is being detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to free expression and if so calls on the Iranian authorities to release him with immediate effect. International PEN is also alarmed by reports thatPubliceren he may be at risk of ill treatment, and is seeking reassurances of his well being from the Iranian government.
Amnesty International gives the following information (Urgent Action: UA 39/07):
Adnan Hassanpour, journalist and advocate of cultural rights for Iranian Kurds, was reportedly detained on 25 January in Marivan, a small city in the northwestern province of Kurdistan. He is believed to be held incommunicado in the provincial capital Sanandaj, where he is at risk of torture or ill treatment.
Up to six people, reportedly from the Ministry of Intelligence, are said to have telephoned Adnan Hassanpour’s mobile telephone on 25 January and told him to go to a certain place. When he followed their instructions, he was arrested. Security forces personnel reportedly took him back to his home where they removed his computer, notebooks and other personal effects prior to detaining him. It is believed that he was transferred the same day to a detention centre in the provincial capital, Sanandaj, around two hours away, where he is believed to be held incommunicado.
Adnan Hassanpour has reportedly been denied access to his family and his lawyer. His mother is said to have made several requests to Ministry of Intelligence officials to visit him, after travelling for more than two hours in cold winter weather to reach Sanandaj, which have all been denied. The officials have reportedly indicated that he will be detained for several more weeks, although he is not known to have been charged with any offence.
Adnan Hassanpour is a former member of the editorial board of the Kurdish-Persian weekly journal, Aso (Horizon), which was closed by the Iranian authorities in August 2005. Adnan Hassanpour had previously reportedly been tried in connection with articles published in the journal.
According to PEN’s information, Adan Hassanpour’s arrest may have been motivated by a recent interview he gave to the Voice of America. No charges against him have been made known.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Please send appeals:
· Calling on the Iranian authorities to disclose the charges under which Adnan Hassanpour is being held and calling for his release if he is being held solely for peacefully exercising his right to free expression;
· Expressing concerns at reports that he may be at risk of ill treatment and seeking reassurances from the Iranian authorities that Adnan Hassanpour’s wellbeing is guaranteed.
APPEALS TO:
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei,
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Shoahada Street, Qom, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: info@leader.ir or istiftaa@wilayah.org
Head of the Judiciary
His Excellency
Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Ministry of Justice, Park-e Shahr,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: via Judiciary website: Iranjudiciary.org/feedback_en.html
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Intelligence
Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie
Ministry of Intelligence,
Second Negarestan Street,
Pasdaran Avenue,
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran.
Email: iranprobe@iranprobe.com
COPIES TO:
President:
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency,
Palestine Avenue,
Azerbaijan Intersection,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: Via Foreign Ministry: +98 21 6 674 790
(mark: "Please forward to H.E. President Ahmadinejad")
Email: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir
via website: www.president.ir/email
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