Call for Protest Gathering in Frankfurt Against “Hostage-Taking” of a German Citizen in Iran
The International Human Rights Society in Germany announced in a statement that it intends to protest the detention of Nahid Taghavi in Iran on Thursday, December 20 (December 10) in front of the Iranian Consulate in Frankfurt.
The International Human Rights Society in Germany announced that it will hold a protest gathering together with Nahid Taghavi’s daughter and the mayor of Frankfurt on Thursday, December 10, in front of the Iranian Consulate in Frankfurt.
About a month and a half ago, this human rights organization had reported that Nahid Taghavi, a dual Iranian-German citizen, was arrested in Tehran.
Ms. Taghavi’s daughter had said that her mother was arrested on Friday (October 16) and taken to Evin Prison. Security officials confiscated her identification card, German passport, laptop, mobile phone, and cash during the arrest.
Nahid Taghavi is 66 years old and, according to the International Human Rights Society’s records, has been an advocate for women’s rights and freedom of speech. She moved to Germany in 1983 and, since 2003, has held both Iranian and German citizenship. Over the past 15 years, Taghavi has been traveling back and forth between Iran and Germany.
Martin Lessenthin, spokesperson for the International Human Rights Society, criticized the imprisonment of Ms. Taghavi as “hostage-taking of a German citizen.” He said Iran is known for taking dual-national citizens hostage to gain political and economic concessions.
According to Lessenthin, Taghavi’s friends and human rights activists in Germany expected the German government to pressure Iran for her release. He said that except for “a brief few-second phone call from prison,” this prisoner has been prevented from contacting her family and has not been able to receive consular support.
The International Human Rights Society in Germany also announced that it wants to gather together with Taghavi’s daughter on Thursday, December 10, in front of the Islamic Republic’s Consulate in Frankfurt to demand the release of all political prisoners in Iran.
According to the human rights organization’s schedule, a joint gathering is planned to take place from 3 p.m. onwards with Peter Feldmann, the mayor of Frankfurt, in front of the Römer Hall (Römer) in Frankfurt.
Source: DW
