 Nizar Zakka, a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident from Lebanon, has been held hostage in Iran since September 18, 2015. On his way to the airport, the day after he attended an Internet governance conference in Tehran, Nizar was kidnapped by several individuals believed to be associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Nizar has been subjected to extreme physical and psychological stresses at the notorious Evin Prison and has been falsely accused by Iranian authorities of engaging in espionage. On Tuesday, March 21, 2017, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil took a question about Nizar’s matter at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars during the Lebanon Ideas Forum; A Conversation with His Excellency Gebran Bassil. The complete webcast by The Wilson Center can be found here.
In addition to Nizar, there are more than 5 Americans and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents being held hostage in Iran. More Information on Nizar Zakka’s Case: Prior Statements and Releases
UPDATE 6-STATEMENT ON THE CONTINUED UNLAWFUL DETENTION OF INTERNET FREEDOM ADVOCATE NIZAR ZAKKA3/17/2017
Zakka Starts Another Hunger Strike to Protest Continued Delay of Case Review
The following statement was issued on behalf of Mr. Nizar Zakka and his family by Mr. Zakka’s attorney in the United States, Mr. Jason Poblete, regarding the continued delays by Iran in reviewing his case:
“Nizar has informed us that, to protest the continued delays in reviewing his case, the lack of justice and other matters, he has started another hunger strike. This is the fourth time that Nizar has had to resort to a hunger strike to raise awareness of his plight. While his spirit is very strong, his health continues to suffer. As has been the case since he was unlawfully detained on September 18, 2015, and later falsely accused, Nizar continues to strongly maintain his innocence. Nizar and his family ask that all parties who can help, to please do so.” UPDATE 6-Statement on the C... by pobletetamargo on Scribd
Prior Statements and Releases
On March 9, Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen released the following statement on the 10 year anniversary of Robert Levinson’s disappearance in Iran. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen’s statement points out Iran’s “disturbing pattern” of taking American and dual citizens hostage, including Internet freedom advocate Nizar Zakka. The press release, found below, can also be found here. Ros-Lehtinen Statement on the 10 Year Anniversary of Robert Levinson’s Disappearance in IranMar 9, 2017
Ros-Lehtinen Statement on the 10 Year Anniversary of Robert Levinson’s Disappearance in Iran “Iran must honor its commitments and we must not give up the fight until Bob is home with his family”(Washington, DC) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R – FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, made the following statement on the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of South Florida resident, Robert Levinson, in Iran on March 9, 2007. At 3,652 days, Levinson is the longest held American hostage in our nation’s history. Rep. Ros-Lehtinen once again joined Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, in introducing a Resolution, H.Res. 185, urging the Government of Iran to fulfill its promises of assistance in the case of Robert Levinson and calling for his unconditional release. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen: “Ten years have passed since Bob disappeared in Iran, and despite numerous assurances and constant pressure, the Iranian regime has yet to release information on Bob and has failed to help bring him home to his wife, Christine, and their seven children. This is unconscionable. Iran must honor its commitments and we must not give up the fight until Bob is home with his family. “But we must also recognize that the Levinson case is not isolated. Iran has a disturbing pattern of holding American citizens hostage. This includes dual U.S.-Iranian citizens, like Baquer and Siamak Namazi, who have been unjustly held hostage by Iran since October 2015, and Nizar Zakka, a U.S. permanent legal resident who has been held by the regime since September 2015. We must not allow Iran to continue to target Americans to use as leverage for ransom payments. Iran must release unconditionally all American citizens and permanent legal residents. Statement on the False Reports Concerning Unlawfully Detained Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka The following statement was issued by Mr. Nizar Zakka’s attorney in the United States, Mr. Jason I. Poblete regarding false statements reported by various news agencies on February 22. According to an Associated Press (Tehran) report published by ABC News at 6:26 a.m. EST, U.S. resident Nizar Zakka “confessed.” The Associated Press article published by ABC News can be found here.
Prior Statements and Releases
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