Hengameh Vahedian, a female student in Mashhad and daughter of rights’ activist, Mr. Abbas Vahedian, addressed the European Union representatives and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Mr. Javaid Rehman, and sent a video message asking for help regarding her imprisoned father.
In a video message, Hengameh Vahedian said, “After my long discussion with the prosecutor they decided to release my father on bail. However, when I produced the documents for his release to the prosecutor, Mr. Soleimaninejad, he responded that he does not see his release in the best interest of the country, and his interrogation should continue for another 10 days. When I protested that he and the prosecutor had agreed to his release during our last meeting, he replied that he no longer sees his release in the best interest of the country and if I were to protest his decision he would throw me out of the court and not allow me to return.
“It seems that the only choice open to me is to bring forth my case to international institutions like the European Parliament and to persons like Mr. Javaid Rehman, the UN special human rights rapporteur for Iran.
“By doing so, I hope I can secure my father’s release, as I am all alone here and I have no one else to help me in securing my father’s release. As the Iranian prosecutor, does not respond to my requests, and he doesn’t even allow my father to have his own legal representation.
“My father, who was interrogated for forty days, has always maintained his innocence. He has stated that without being provided his own choice for legal representation any case against him will have no legal merit. The prosecutor in response has told my father that he can only have a lawyer chosen by the court system and is not allowed to have his own legal representation.
“It is for this reason, why I think they have refused to release him. Further they keep changing the charges against him, as one day they say the charges against him are related to protesting against the regime and the next day, they say it regards the threats he poses against national security. It is for these reasons that I am appealing to you to help me in any way you can.”
Abbas Vahedian, father of Hengameh Vahedian, was arrested by security forces on October 11, 2018, because of his activities in the Teachers’ Guild Association in Mashhad.
Hengameh Vahedian, a female student in Mashhad, published an open letter earlier on October, protesting the lack of accountability by the regime’s authorities and agencies regarding her father’s arrest. In her open letter, Ms. Hengameh Vahedian wrote about the activities and the hardships she had suffered to find her father.
