Siamak Pourzand

Siamak Pourzand (Persian: سيامک پورزند) is an Iranian journalist and film critic. He is the manager of the "Majmue-ye Farrhangi-ye Honari-ye Tehran", a cultural center for writers, artists, and intellectuals and an Honorary Member of PEN American Center. In recent years, Pourzand was also a cultural commentator for several reformist newspapers that have since been shut down. He is well known for his articles critical of the Islamic regime in Iran, and is said to have been working with foreign-based Persian language media prior to his detention.

Pourzand is the husband of writer, human rights lawyer, and editor of the now-banned "Zan" literary review Mehrangiz Kar. Kar, also an Honorary Member of PEN American Center, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for her participation in an academic and cultural conference held at the "Heinrich Böll Foundation" in Berlin on April 7-9, 2000 entitled "Iran after the elections", at which political and social reform in Iran were publicly debated.

Case history:Siamak Pourzand went missing on November 24, 2001; it was later learned that he was being held incommunicado by the Iranian intelligence. The journalist had reportedly stated to friends and family that he had been followed by motorcycles and one or two cars in the two weeks before he disappeared. On March 6, 2002, Iranian authorities began closed and unannounced proceedings against Pourzand. On May 3, 2002 the Tehran "Press Court" reportedly sentenced him to 11 years in prison on charges of "undermining state security through his links with monarchists and counter-revolutionaries." It is widely believed that the charges against him are based on confessions that were exacted under duress during the months he was held in incommunicado detention. Iranian authorities have offered no explanation of the charges or case against him to date.

Current status:Pourzand, age 72, is currently serving his 11-year term at Evin Prison in Tehran. PEN is seriously concerned for Pourzand's well being, as it has received reports indicating that he may have suffered one or more heart attacks while in incommunicado detention, and that he has not been allowed access to adequate and necessary medical attention. These reports follow a series of disturbing reports indicating that there has been an alarming, visible decline in Pourzand's health in detention. In May 2003, he made an application from prison for medical assistance. There are also concerns that his trial has not been conducted according to fair standards as articulated in the Iranian Constitution and international treaties.

References

[http://www.pen.org/freedom/hm/pourzand.htm PEN American Center page about Pourzand]