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IHR Welcomes Release of Iranian-Americans, Calls for Release of All Political Prisoners in Iran

18 Jan 16
IHR Welcomes Release of Iranian-Americans, Calls for Release of All Political Prisoners in Iran

Iran Human Rights welcomes the release of four Iranian American citizens and calls on the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Iran.

Iran Human Rights (JAN 18 2016): Following the lifting of sanctions, Iranian official sources reported on the release of Jason Rezaian, Saeed Abedini, Amir Mirza Hekmati and Nosratollah Khosravi. Tehran's Prosecutor says the four individuals were released as a result of a prisoner swap and after approval by Iran's Supreme National Security Council. There are reports of a fifth American citizen, Mathew Trevithick, who was also released. Trevithick reportedly arrived in Iran in September 2015 to complete a four-month language course at Dehkhoda, an international centre for Persian studies that is affiilated with the University of Tehran. He was reportedly arrested in December 2015 and released after 40 days in detention.

The release of the five Americans, which was part of a prisoner swap that involved the release of seven Iranian businessmen from the US, is considered positive. However, the release of the remaining political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Iran should not be subject to another deal or negotiation.

"We ask the international community to not only call for the release of prisoners with dual citizenship, but make efforts for the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience," says Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the spokesperson for Iran Human Rights.   

There are many prisoners in Iran who are currently detained because of their ideas or for engaging in peaceful political activities, including individuals from regions in Iran with large populations of ethnic minorities. In most cases, political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Iran are issued heavy sentences without access to fair trials.