TEHRAN —
Iran’s leading reformist coalition on Saturday called for the release of
politician Mostafa Tajzadeh, held since July over accusations of undermining
state security.
اضافة اعلان
“In the name of
the Reform Front of Iran, I urge you to release (Tajzadeh) as soon as
possible,” the head of the coalition, Behzad Nabavi, wrote in an open letter to
the judiciary.
He called for
Tajzadeh’s case to be “examined in an open court session” by an “impartial”
prosecutor, according to the letter published in local media.
Formed in March
2021 by close associates of reformist former president Mohammad Khatami, the
Front brings together parties and movements from Iran’s reformist camp.
Tajzadeh served
as deputy interior minister under Khatami, who held office from 1997 to 2005.
The 65-year-old’s
trial began last week at a branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Court.
According to the
judicial authority’s news agency Mizan Online, Tajzadeh faced “three counts,
including conspiracy against national security”.
He also faces
accusations of “publishing lies to disturb public opinion”, the Mehr news
agency has reported.
Tajzadeh had
previously served seven years in prison, having been arrested in 2009 during
protests disputing the re-election of then president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
He declined to
speak in court during last week’s hearing after a request for him to talk
one-on-one with his lawyer was rejected, the defense said.
Tajzadeh “did
nothing but express his opinions”, the Reform Front said, adding that he has
been held in “solitary confinement” since his arrest.
He had made an
unsuccessful attempt to run in Iran’s presidential elections in 2021, but his
candidacy was rejected.
The Iranian authorities
have made several high-profile arrests in recent months, including of acclaimed
filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof.
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