Iranian human rights defender thanks those who campaigned for his release
Posted: May 25, 2007
Amnesty International believes that Nasser Zarafshan was a prisoner of conscience, jailed for the peaceful expression of his beliefs. © Private
Iranian lawyer and human rights defender Nasser Zarafshan was released from Evin Prison, Tehran, on March 15, 2007.
He had been in jailed in 2002 after a secret trial before a military court. He was tried because of his role in representing the families of two murdered political activists. The activists had been murdered in November 1998 during a series of killings which came to be known in Iran as the "serial murders".
At least 18 people, including former senior Ministry of Intelligence officials, were tried in connection with the murders. The case attracted wide publicity and controversy within Iran.
While he was in custody, Nasser Zarafshan's health deteriorated and he was not immediately afforded adequate medical treatment. He suffers from a chronic kidney condition which required specialist treatment outside the prison.
Amnesty International believes that Nasser Zarafshan was a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his legitimate activities as a lawyer and for the peaceful expression of his beliefs.
Nasser Zarafshan is reportedly now in good health, and has expressed his
gratitude to Amnesty International and all those who have campaigned for his
release. He plans to renew his membership of the Bar Association in Tehran and
to reopen his office.