Call for release of Iranian detainee, Shiva Nazar-Ahari

Chairwoman of European Parliament's Subcommittee in Human Rights issued a statement calling for the immediate release of Iranian human rights activist, Shiva Nazar-Ahari.

According to Human Rights Reporters, Heidi Hautala has called for the release of Nazar-Ahari, spokesperson for the Committee of Human Rights Reporters of Iran and expressed grave concern over the legal proceedings against this detainee because some government sources are trying to link her to the dissident political group, People’s Mojahedin Organization, in order to charge her with “moharebeh” (rebellion against God) which carries the death penalty.

She adds: “Great concern furthermore remains over the reports run on state owned website, Rajanews, which claim that Ms Nazar Ahari has worked for the terrorist group Mojahideen-e Khalq. Government justifies sentencing executions often by involvement in terrorist activities. The case will be heard before the Revolutionary Court, which regularly imposes death sentences for alleged terrorism and conducts its procedures in great deal out of public sight.”

Shiva Nazar-Ahari, who has also been arrested in the past, was arrested again last December and has denied the charges of “moharebeh”, “propaganda against the regime” and “activities against national security.”

Ms. Hautala stresses: “There are serious grounds to believe that Shiva is being targeted because of her human rights advocacy and her arrest is the most horrific attempt to silence her. The authorities must let her go immediately.”

Nazar-Ahari will go on trial on September 4 and a campaign to release her has taken shape all across the world. Some cities have organized rallies to call for her release on September 2 and 3.

Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have also called for Shiva Nazar-Ahari’s immediate release.

European media has also focused on Shiva Nazar-Ahari’s arrest and described her extended detention and the charges against her as a repeated violation of human rights by Iran.