2007: Iran: Kian Tajbakhsh
September 11, 2007
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khameini
Qom,
Islamic Rebublic of Iran
Your Excellency
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN welcomes the release of Iranian-American scholar Haleh Esfandiari, who was freed on bail on 21st August 2007.
However, PEN remains seriously concerned about the continued detention of Iranian-American scholar Kian Tajbakhsh, who has been held since 11th May 2007. The detention of Kian Tajbakhsh is apparently in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Intenational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory.
We appeal for his immediate and unconditional release.
PEN further calls for all charges against Haleh Esfandiari to be dropped.
Your Excellency, we sincerely urge you to look into these two cases, and listen to our appeal concerning the charges raised against them.
Yours sincerely
Aase Gjerdrum
translator
member, Writers in Prison Committee, Norwegian PEN
Cc Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Head of the Judiciary, Tehran
Minister of Intelligence, Tehran
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Tehran
