More than 500 cultural and civil activists demanded the release of the director of the Imam Ali Society

In an open letter, more than 500 cultural and artistic activists and lawyers expressed concern about the restrictions placed on the "Imam Ali Community" and called for the immediate release of Sharmin Maimandinejad, the director and founder of this charitable organization.

The activists' letter, which was published on Monday, August 26, was signed by figures such as Babak Ahmadi, Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani, Mehrdad Oskouei, Hamid Amjad, Rakhshan Bani Etemad, Jafar Panahi, Kiomars Pourahmad, Reza Darmishian, Abdolfattah Soltani, Rasoul Sadrameli, Farzaneh Taheri, Bahman Farmanara, Asghar Farhadi, Kayhan Kalhor, and Fatemeh Motamed Aria.

The letter cites the Imam Ali Society as one of the "most successful non-governmental organizations in creating and utilizing public participation to expand education, improve health, and reduce poverty and injustice in society."

Sharmin Maimandinejad was arrested on July 1st along with Morteza Kaymanesh, the organization's public relations officer, and Katayoun Afrazeh, an inspector. While the two were released on bail, Maimandinejad remains in prison.

A statement released by the Imam Ali Society names the "Tharollah Headquarters of the Revolutionary Guard Corps" as the plaintiff in the case and says that the accusations made by the director of this organization are "insults" to the leader and founder of the Islamic Republic and "acts against national security."

The Imam Ali Society, which began operating in 1999, is one of the most famous charitable organizations in Iran, with thousands of volunteers. In their letter calling for the release of Sharmin Maimandinejad, the activists listed the organization's activities and described them as influential.

The letter states that the organizers of the Imam Ali Society "have succeeded, after years of effort, in gaining public trust and becoming intermediaries in providing economic support to vulnerable groups," and that the scope of its charitable activities now extends to "more than 44 centers in 20 provinces of the country."

The signatories of the letter then warned that "the arrest and long-term imprisonment of the founder and director of this institution will cause great social damage [and] hundreds of families who are still going through these difficult times with the material and spiritual support of the Imam Ali community will soon face more problems."

Other signatories to the letter include Amir Ahmadi Arian, Pantea Bahram, Farhad Tajvidi, Sohrab Pournazeri, Pouran Derakhshandeh, Ghasem Sholeh Saadi, Leili Golestan, Ali Mosfa, Mahtab Nasirpour, and Mohammad Yaqoubi.

Source: Radio Farda