Iran: Nasrin Sotoudeh’s Husband Arrested, Released

Reza Khandan was released on January 17, 2011. Reza Khandan, husband of imprisoned human rights lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, was arrested early this morning when he arrived to the Prosecutor’s office to comply with the summon he received last week. According to reports by the website Change for Equality, the charges against Reza Khandan remain unclear. According to the family members, even though the court set a $50 thousand USD bail for his release, the bail amount posted by Nasin Soutoudeh’s sister has not been accepted.

Reza Khandan was summoned to the Prosecutor’s office in Evin prison after his wife’s sentence was announced. The increased pressure on Khandan most likely stems from the interviews he gave in efforts to secure his wife’s release from prison.

Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist remains in solitary confinement in Evin prison, despite international pressures and the fact that she launched numerous hunger strikes in protest to the illegal nature of the charges against her. Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested on September 4th. She was sentenced to 11 years in prison and banned from practicing law and leaving the country for 20 years.

Persian Report by Kaleme
Translation by Banooye Sabz, editing by Persian2English.com