Brian Hook: Join Us and Call on Iran’s Regime to Release Morad Tahbaz
Brian Hook, the U.S. government representative for Iran affairs, again called for the release of Morad Tahbaz, an environmental activist and imprisoned Iranian-American citizen in Iran.
In a video released Monday, June 9, on Twitter by the U.S. State Department, Mr. Hook stated that Morad Tahbaz, a recognized environmental conservation advocate, is imprisoned in Iran for his activities in protecting endangered species.
In this video, footage of the Asiatic cheetah is shown, and Mr. Hook explains that only 50 Asiatic cheetahs remain, and only in Iran. Mr. Tahbaz, in an effort to preserve this species, co-founded the Pars Heritage Wildlife Institute with Kavous Seyed-Emami.
Mr. Hook in this video refers to Morad Tahbaz’s efforts to raise awareness about endangered species in Iran and preserve them.
Mr. Hook reminds that Morad Tahbaz’s activities and those of his colleagues were praised by the United Nations Development Program in Iran, and the environmental protection organization had granted them permission to work in this field.
However, approximately two and a half years ago, Mr. Tahbaz and seven other environmental activists were arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization on espionage charges following the arrest of Kavous Seyed-Emami.
Brian Hook noted that the arrest of Mr. Tahbaz and his colleagues was accompanied by widespread condemnation from governments, including the United States, and United Nations experts.
Mr. Hook, pointing out that even the Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Intelligence, Parliament, and several other institutions did not find the espionage charge valid, says: Nevertheless, the corrupt judiciary sentenced “Morad” and seven others to up to 10 years in prison.
Brian Hook called on environmental conservation activists around the world to join hundreds of researchers and environmental activists from 73 countries worldwide who previously called for Morad Tahbaz’s release.
He also said that all governments that have relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran should condemn such sentences.
The U.S. government representative for Iran affairs, while recalling Mr. Tahbaz’s physical health problems, called on all human rights and environmental activists to join the U.S. government in calling for the release of this environmental activist.
U.S. government officials have previously repeatedly condemned the imprisonment of environmental activists in Iran and called for their release.
Source: Voice of America
