Iran: Hengameh Shahidi must be released!

Publication date of the appeal: 2/25/2011 Hengameh-Shahidi, 35, journalist and political activist, is serving a sentence of six years of detention in Evin prison in Tehran. It is a prisoner of conscience.

On June 30, 2009, after mass protests erupted announcement of the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Hengameh Shahidi was arrested and detained for over four months without charge. She alleged that she was tortured and suffered other ill-treatment during detention. She was threatened to be put to death, and on one occasion, has been subjected to a mock execution.

During the trial, which began November 4, 2009, was accused of having participated in demonstrations against the presidential election, he had an interview, wrote articles on his blog, signed statement addressed to the UN on human rights in Iran and collected signatures Campaign for Equality, which aims to change discriminatory laws against women in Iran. Hengameh Shahidi admitted to having participated in two events, but only as a journalist. In December 2009, was sentenced to six years in prison for "assembly and conspiracy with the intent of undermining state security" and "propaganda against the system".

Hengameh has appealed against the sentence and remained at large until February 25, 2010, when she was arrested again after the investigative office of the Intelligence Ministry had convened "to ask you some questions." When, two days after his lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei went to section 54 of the Revolutionary Court to determine the reasons for the arrest of Hengameh, he was shown the ruling made the day before his arrest by the appeals court that upheld the sentenced to six years of detention and to set aside the 91 days given for "insulting the president."

Hengameh Shahidi suffers from heart problems and need regular medical care. In late October 2010, she was allowed to leave jail to be subjected to medical treatment, but on November 15, before the expiry date of this license, has been reported in prison. She was not explained the reason for revocation of the license, nor was it accepted his request to extend it. Back in prison, Hengameh began a hunger strike in protest and was transferred to the prison medical center.