(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is gravely concerned for the health of veteran journalist and film critic Siamak Pourzand, who is reported to have suffered a heart attack in prison. Pourzand, aged 72, was sentenced to eight years in prison on 3 May 2002, and has been detained incommunicado since 24 November. On […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN is gravely concerned for the health of veteran journalist and film critic Siamak Pourzand, who is reported to have suffered a heart attack in prison. Pourzand, aged 72, was sentenced to eight years in prison on 3 May 2002, and has been detained incommunicado since 24 November.
On 10 May, Pourzand’s family reported that he had suffered a heart attack in prison. Pourzand has been dependent on medication for a serious heart complaint for the past ten years, but has reportedly not been allowed to receive this medication from his family throughout his imprisonment.
He is feared to be denied even basic medical treatment in jail. In early May, his sister reported that he was in very poor condition, and there are now grave concerns for his health.
Background Information
On 3 May, the Tehran Press Court reportedly sentenced Pourzand to eight 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” that are thought to have been exacted under duress. He is not thought to be appealing his sentence.
On 6 March, the Iranian authorities began closed and unannounced proceedings against Pourzand, who has been held incommunicado by the Iranian intelligence services since 24 November. 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.
It is thought that Pourzand’s 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. He is also known for his articles critical of the Islamic regime, and is said to have been recently working with Iranian foreign-based 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, who was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for her participation at the Berlin conference held in April 2000 (see IFEX alerts of 27 February 2002, 6 December, 26 February, 16 and 15 January 2001, 12 December, 16, 9 and 5 May 2000).
Kar was arrested on 29 April 2000 on charges of “acting against national security”, and held at Evin Prison until her release on bail on 21 June 2000. In November 2001, her sentence was reduced on appeal to six months’ imprisonment, calculated as time served (two months) plus a 500,000 rial (approx. US$287) fine. She is currently in the United States receiving medical treatment for cancer.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– expressing grave concerns for Pourzand’s health and calling for him to be given all necessary medical treatment as a matter of urgency
– protesting the eight-year prison sentence handed down to him on 3 May, which appears to violate Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory
– expressing serious concerns that he has been ill-treated in pre-trial detention, and that his trial has not been conducted in accordance with accepted standards of fairness, as guaranteed by the Iranian constitution and international treaties
– calling for his immediate and unconditional release on humanitarian grounds and in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory
Appeals To
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei
Leader of the Islamic Republic
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahrudi
Head of Judiciary
Ministry of Justice
Park-e Shahr
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Please note that there are no fax numbers available for the Iranian authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for Iran in your country to forward your appeals. In Canada, send appeals to:
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran
245 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K2P 2K2
Fax: +1 613 238 0379
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Iran in your country and the source, if possible.
