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News

UPDATE 16- NIZAR ZAKKA, TWO YEARS UNLAWFULLY DETAINED IN IRAN

9/21/2017

 

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
  • UPDATE 15a- Iran Renders Another Opinion in Zakka’s Case Affirming Prior Judgement
  • UPDATE 14- After Learning of Son’s Testimony, Congressional Resolution, Zakka Breaks Hunger Strike After 33 Days
  • UPDATE 13- Fourth Week of Hunger Strike Zakka Says “Liberty or Death…there is no turning back”
  • UPDATE 12- As Nizar Starts Third Week of Hunger Strike, Family Pleas for Humanitarian Release 
  • UPDATE 11- Nizar on Fifth Hunger Strike, Now “Open Ended”
  • UPDATE 10- Nizar Zakka Begins Fifth Hunger Strike, Iran Responds With Torture
  • UPDATE 9- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 8- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Zakka
  • UPDATE 7- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 6- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 5- The Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka
  • US LPR Zakka Meets With Iranian Prosecutor, Lebanese Ambassador to Tehran
  • UPDATE 4-Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 3- Zakka Starts Hunger Strike, Demands Unconditional Release
  • UPDATE 2- Nizar Zakka Celebrates 2nd Birthday as a Hostage in Iran
  • UPDATE 1- The Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka, Unconditional Release on Humanitarian Grounds Urged
  • The Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka, Unconditional Release on Humanitarian Grounds Urged

UPDATE 15A- IRAN RENDERS ANOTHER OPINION IN ZAKKA’S CASE AFFIRMING PRIOR JUDGEMENT

9/21/2017

 

​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. 

In 1979, Iran held Americans hostages to exact political concessions from the United States. The Iranians are doing it again, but this time Iran is using a different twisted method for what amounts to hostage-taking so that Iran can, among other things, circumvent U.S. and E.U. sanctions or use innocent civilians, such as Nizar, as leverage to negotiate flawed agreements such as the JCPOA. 

In summary, Nizar was invited and given a visa, Nizar was kidnapped, and then Nizar was falsely accused of espionage. It appears that he was targeted for capture so that it coincided during a critical time of the JCPOA negotiations. For these and other reasons, Iran remains a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law. We shall continue to press all governments that can and should help to demand that Iran unconditionally release of Mr. Zakka.
​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

  • UPDATE 14- After Learning of Son’s Testimony, Congressional Resolution, Zakka Breaks Hunger Strike After 33 Days
  • UPDATE 13- Fourth Week of Hunger Strike Zakka Says “Liberty or Death…there is no turning back”
  • UPDATE 12- As Nizar Starts Third Week of Hunger Strike, Family Pleas for Humanitarian Release 
  • UPDATE 11- Nizar on Fifth Hunger Strike, Now “Open Ended”
  • UPDATE 10- Nizar Zakka Begins Fifth Hunger Strike, Iran Responds With Torture
  • UPDATE 9- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 8- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Zakka
  • UPDATE 7- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 6- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 5- The Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka
  • US LPR Zakka Meets With Iranian Prosecutor, Lebanese Ambassador to Tehran
  • UPDATE 4-Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 3- Zakka Starts Hunger Strike, Demands Unconditional Release
  • UPDATE 2- Nizar Zakka Celebrates 2nd Birthday as a Hostage in Iran
  • UPDATE 1- The Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka, Unconditional Release on Humanitarian Grounds Urged
  • The Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka, Unconditional Release on Humanitarian Grounds Urged

UPDATE 17- AFTER TWO YEARS, ZAKKA’S HEALTH CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE

9/21/2017

 
Picture
Thursday, 21 September 2017 14:18

​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.

To secure medical care, Evin Prison guards have even asked Nizar to sign forms in the Persian language, a language that he does not understand. Nizar will not sign these forms because he fears that his jailers may be trying to, again, force Nizar to sign a confession for crimes that he did not commit. We ask that anyone in a position to do so, please help Nizar secure his freedom so that he can be reunited with his family and get the health care that he desperately needs.
​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
  • UPDATE 16- Nizar Zakka, Two Years Unlawfully Detained in Iran
  • UPDATE 15a- Iran Renders Another Opinion in Zakka’s Case Affirming Prior Judgement
  • UPDATE 14- After Learning of Son’s Testimony, Congressional Resolution, Zakka Breaks Hunger Strike After 33 Days
  • UPDATE 13- Fourth Week of Hunger Strike Zakka Says “Liberty or Death…there is no turning back”
  • UPDATE 12- As Nizar Starts Third Week of Hunger Strike, Family Pleas for Humanitarian Release 
  • UPDATE 11- Nizar on Fifth Hunger Strike, Now “Open Ended”
  • UPDATE 10- Nizar Zakka Begins Fifth Hunger Strike, Iran Responds With Torture
  • UPDATE 9- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 8- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Zakka
  • UPDATE 7- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 6- Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 5- The Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka
  • US LPR Zakka Meets With Iranian Prosecutor, Lebanese Ambassador to Tehran
  • UPDATE 4-Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka
  • UPDATE 3- Zakka Starts Hunger Strike, Demands Unconditional Release
  • UPDATE 2- Nizar Zakka Celebrates 2nd Birthday as a Hostage in Iran
  • UPDATE 1- The Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka, Unconditional Release on Humanitarian Grounds Urged
  • The Continued Unlawful Detention of Nizar Zakka, Unconditional Release on Humanitarian Grounds Urged

MENENDEZ, COLLEAGUES PEN LETTER TO PRES. TRUMP ON CONTINUED EFFORTS TO FREE AMERICANS DETAINED BY IRAN

9/12/2017

 
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


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Global Rule of Law & Liberty Legal Defense Fund (d/b/a The Global Liberty Alliance)
©2020 All rights reserved.
  • About Us
    • Mission
    • Our Team >
      • Staff And Advisors >
        • Jason I. Poblete
        • Mauricio J. Tamargo
        • Arthur Freyre
        • Cara Di Silvio
        • Mariana Tejeida-Olvera
        • Veronica Mayer
        • Fr. Fernando Hería
      • Board >
        • Terry T. Campo
        • Frank M. Mendez
        • Jason I. Poblete
        • Mauricio J. Tamargo
        • Dr. Stephen M. Thompson
    • Policies >
      • Anti-Slavery & Anti-Human Trafficking
      • Business Conduct & Ethics
  • Working Groups
    • Brazil >
      • Brazil Cuban Medical Mission Files
    • Guatemala >
      • Guatemala Cuban Medical Mission Files
    • Honduras >
      • Honduras Cuban Medical Mission Files
    • Nicaragua
    • Uruguay >
      • Uruguay Cuban Medical Mission Files
  • Featured Case Work
    • Free Yorubas of Cuba, Regularly Attacked for Faith
    • Alina Lopez-Miyares, US Citizen Tried by Cuban Tribunal
    • José Daniel Ferrer and UNPACU Activists
    • Roberto Quiñones, Jailed for Journalism
    • Rigal-Expósito Family, Torn Apart for Homeschooling
    • Tejeda-Lescaille Family, Persecuted for Jewish Faith
    • The Whittaker Chambers Farm
    • Past Cases >
      • Apostolic Movement Of Cuba
      • Roberto Bendaña McEwan – INTERPOL Abuse by Nicaragua
      • Nizar Zakka – U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, Hostage in Iran
  • News & Media
    • Global Voices for Liberty
    • GLA News
    • Media
  • Invest
  • Tips