VA: 17/10 Index: MDE 13/008/2010 Iran
Date: 15 January 2010
URGENT
ACTION
IRAN IAN STUDENT DETAINED WITHOUT CHARGE
Iranian student Payam Jahangiri was arrested on 5 December at his home in the city of Shiraz in
southwestern Iran, two days before nationwide student protests against the government took
place on 7 December. Since then he has been held without charge in Shiraz and has had no
access to a lawyer. He is at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
Payam Jahangiry, a 28-year-old student of political science at Shiraz University, is a supporter of the opposition
movement in Iran, known as the Green Movement, which emerged after the contested presidential election in June
2009 and contributes to the cultural website Rooznamak. He was arrested on his birthday at his home in Shiraz
where he lives with his wife, Newsha Nayestani. Several security officials arrived at his home,claiming that they were
workers from the electricity provider and needed to check his flat. They forced their way in as he opened the door,
identified themselves as security officials and searched his home.They arrested Payam Jahangiry and confiscated
various personal belongings, including four computers and various documents and photographs. Payam Jahangiry is
being held in the Artesh Sevvom detention centre in Shiraz. He has been allowed visits from his family on two
occasions.
Dozens of students and others were arrested before, during and after student demonstrations marking National
Student Day in Iran, which marks the killing of three students by security forces in 1953. Students opposed to the
government used the event to protest.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Persian, Arabic, English, French or your own language:
Asking to be informed of the reasons for Payam Jahangiri's arrest;
Calling on the Iranian authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally as he is believed to be held
solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association;
Calling for him to be protected from torture or other ill-treatment while in detention and to be granted immediate
and regular access to his family, a lawyer of his choice and to any necessary medical treatment;
Expressing concern at the restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly in Iran and urging the
authorities to allow those with opposing views to freely express their views, including in writing and through peaceful
demonstrations.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 26
Head of Fars Judiciary
Ahmad Siavash-Pour
Provincial Judiciary central complex
Shohada Square
Shiraz
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: 0098-711- 2242238
Salutation: Dear Mr Siavash-Pour
FEBRUARY 2010 TO:
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh
(Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of
Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran,
1316814737
Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: via website:
http:llwww.dadiran.ir/tabid/75/Default.a
spxFirst starred box: your given name;
second starred box: your family name;
third: your email address
Salutation: Your Excellency
And copies to:
Director, Human Rights Headquarters
Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of
Serah-e Jomhuri
Tehran 1316814737
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986
Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com (In subject
line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)
Salutation: Dear Mr Larijani
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country. Please check with your section office if sending
appeals after the above date.
AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL
Date: 15 January 2010
URGENT ACTION
IRAN IAN STUDENT DETAINED WITHOUT CHARGE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Green Movement was born around the disputed presidential election in 2009. The supporters of presidential candidate Mir
Hossein Mousavi wore the colour green to show their affiliation. Since the unrest surrounding the election, the Green Movement
is now seen as advocating social and political reform more widely as well as opposing the widespread human rights violations
which took place and are continuing to occur.
Though it is not overtly political, other contributors to the Rooznamak website have also previously been arrested. For example,
Mohammad Loghman was arrested at a peaceful celebration in Tehran of International Labour Day on 1 May 2009. He was
released on 11 May (see UA 144/09 and follow-up).
Students have been at the forefront of continuing protests at the disputed election result, as well as at the widespread human
rights violations committed as the authorities banned demonstrations and cracked down violently on protestors. Dozens of people
have been killed by security forces using excessive force, thousands have been arrested, mostly arbitrarily, many of whom were
tortured or otherwise ill-treated. Scores have faced unfair trial, including some in mass show trials, with over 80 sentenced to
prison terms, and at least seven sentenced to death, although one has had his death sentence overturned on appeal.
Other students arrested around National Student Day include Majid Tavakkoli, arrested on 7 December as he left Amir Kabir
University of Technology in Tehran, where he had given a speech at a National Student Day event (see UA: 341/09 Index: MDE
13/131/2009 Iran).
UA: 17/10 Index: MDE 13/008/2010 Issue Date: 15 January 2010
AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL
