Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate & Hostage Nizar Zakka
On September 19, 2017, at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump said “[i]t is time for the [Iranian] regime to free all Americans and citizens of other nations that they have unjustly detained.”
Mr. Zakka’s U.S. Attorney Jason Poblete issued the following statement on behalf of his client: “This week marks two years that Mr. Zakka was unlawfully detained in Iran. Unlike the Obama administration that hid the new Iran hostage crisis from the American people and other nations, unjustly detained persons such as Nizar Zakka finally have a strong voice for liberty in President Trump and his administration.”
Nizar was kidnapped by the Iranian regime on September 18, 2015. Nizar was in Iran because he was invited to speak by Shahindokht Molaverdi at a women’s Internet conference. Molaverdi is a member of Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet and serves as the vice president of Iran for Women and Family Affairs.
More information on Nizar Zakka’s case can be found below. President Trump’s remarks can be found here. Update 16- Nizar Zakka, Two... by pobletetamargo on Scribd
Prior Statements and Releases
Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate & Hostage Nizar Zakka
Mr. Nizar Zakka issued the following statement upon the continuation of his detention:
“If you’re traveling to Iran on business or pleasure, let my case be a lesson and a warning to others considering visits to Iran. I’m not the only one. If you value your freedom and are a foreigner, Iran is not safe for you. Don’t come here. I was invited to speak at an Internet ICT conference by Vice President Shahindokht Molaverdi. On my way to the airport I was kidnapped, locked up in Evin Prison, and was falsely charged with espionage. I am innocent and the Iranians know it. There is no rule of law in Iran, and I am a victim of this, especially if you’re a foreigner. I will continue to speak out for freedom and justice.”
Mr Zakka’s lawyer in the United States, Mr. Jason I. Poblete, added:
“As we have said in prior instances of alleged judicial action, Mr. Zakka was subjected to a Star Chamber-like proceeding by certain people in the Iranian government who are more interested in using him, and others, as political pawns in international politics. It’s wrong and inhumane.
Nizar was kidnapped by the Iranian regime on September 18, 2015. Nizar was in Iran because he was invited to speak by Shahindokht Molaverdi at a women’s Internet conference. Molaverdi is a member of Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet and serves as the vice president of Iran for Women and Family Affairs.
More information on Nizar Zakka’s case can be found below. Update 15- Statement on th... by pobletetamargo on Scribd بیانیه ای در راستای ادامه ب... by pobletetamargo on Scribd
Prior Statements and Releases
Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate & Hostage Nizar Zakka
This week marks the second year that Internet freedom advocate and prisoner of conscience Nizar Zakka has been unlawfully detained in Iran after being invited by Iranian authorities to speak at an ICT Conference.
The following update is from Mr. Zakka’s family regarding his current health situation, which continues to deteriorate.
We continue to hope and pray for Nizar’s prompt release from Evin Prison. Nizar has lost more than 70 pounds, continues to suffer from several health ailments, and now he has a very serious gum infection that requires surgery. For reasons that we do not know, Evin prison officials refuse to provide Nizar with the medical attention that he needs. Using health as a weapon is cruel and a violation of human rights.
Mr. Zakka traveled to Iran in September 2015, at the invitation of Iran’s Vice President for Women and Family Affairs Shahindokht Molaverdi, to speak at a conference on the use of technology and the Internet to promote social, economic, and educational development in the region. After the conference, en route to the airport, Mr. Zakka was taken by persons believed to be associated with the IRGC’s Basij or the intelligence services.
Mr. Zakka has been denied the right to review the charges or evidence against him and his lawyers have not been allowed to mount a proper defense. Despite the ordeal, including psychological and physical torture, Nizar has maintained his innocence. More information about Mr. Zakka’s case can be found below. UPDATE 17- After Two Years ... by pobletetamargo on Scribd
Matter of Nizar Zakka – Hostage in Iran (YouTube)
Prior Statements and Releases
The following press release was issued by New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez. The original posting can be read here.
Washington, D.C. – US Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was joined by four of his Senate colleagues in sending a letter to President Donald Trump regarding the Iranian Government’s continued detention of United States citizens. Citing the cases of Robert “Bob” Levinson, Baquer and Siamak Namazi, Nizar Zakka, and Xiyue Wang in their letter, the senators urge the Trump administration to expand on efforts to bring these Americans back home to the United States. “It is critical that the United States increase pressure on the Iranian regime to release these Americans,” wrote the Senators. “Time after time, Iran has continued to take American hostages and hold them for political purposes. The international community must not tolerate the practice of hostage taking as a tool of state policy. We urge you to take all steps in the national interest to secure these Americans’ release.”
Menendez has been part of an ongoing effort in Congress to build momentum and increase pressure on the Iranian regime to release Americans in continued detention on sham charges and accusations. The senators applauded the Administration’s demonstrated interest in helping, and concluded their letter to the President by asking him to “make clear to Iran that our nation will not stand idly by as Iran takes American hostages.”
In addition to Menendez the letter was signed by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.); Marco Rubio (R-Fla.); Bill Nelson (D-Fla.); and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). Below is the full text of the lawmakers’ letter and a PDF can be found here. Menendez Letter to POTUS Tr... by pobletetamargo on Scribd |