New OSI Statement on Kian
September 4th, 2007The Open Society Institute released a new statement about Kian today. It calls for Kian’s immediate release, and says that Iranian government officials had promised his family that he would be freed by last week:
Dr. Tajbakhsh continues to be held in solitary detention despite claims from the Iranian government that his release is forthcoming. In many public statements, Iranian officials said their investigation had concluded and that Dr. Tajbakhsh would be released. They have assured people close to the case—including family—that he would be freed to be with his wife during the last month of her pregnancy. We are mystified at his continued imprisonment.
It is unconscionable that Iranian authorities continue to hold Dr. Tajbakhsh in light of the release of other Iranian-American detainees. OSI welcomes news that Dr. Haleh Esfandiari was allowed to leave Iran and be reunited with her family.
Dr. Tajbakhsh is a humanitarian and a gifted scholar who has devoted his career to helping the Iranian people and to building bridges between Iran and the international community. As the 120th day of his detention approaches this Friday, we demand that Dr. Tajbakhsh be released so that he can return home to his wife before the birth of their first child.
The full statement can be found here.
