Senior UN Official Calls for Release of Imprisoned Environmental Activists in Iran
The Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme published a message on Twitter on the occasion of the third anniversary of the imprisonment of Nilufar Bayani, a former staff member of the program, in Iran.
Inger Andersen, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme, wrote on Thursday, January 14 (December 25 in the Persian calendar) in a tweet: “January 14 marks the third year of imprisonment of Nilufar Bayani, a former colleague at the UN Environment Programme and imprisoned environmental activist, in Iran.”
Ms. Andersen wrote in this tweet: “I continue to call for the pardon of all of them and their safe return to their families.”
In late February 2020, Voice of America reported that these environmental activists, who had been detained on espionage charges by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization, had been sentenced to a combined 58 years in prison.
Nilufar Bayani and Morad Tahbaz were sentenced to ten years imprisonment on charges of “cooperation with America” and forfeiture of received funds. Homan Jaukar and Taher Qadirian, on similar charges, were each sentenced to eight years in prison. Sam Rajabi, Sepideh Kashani, and Amirhossein Khalegi Hamidi were each sentenced to six years imprisonment on charges of “espionage.” Abdolreza Koohpayeh was also sentenced to four years in prison on charges of “assembly and conspiracy with intent to act against security.”
In late February 2020, Voice of America reported that these environmental activists, who had been detained on espionage charges by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization, had been sentenced to a combined 58 years in prison.
Nilufar Bayani and Morad Tahbaz were sentenced to ten years imprisonment on charges of “cooperation with America” and forfeiture of received funds. Homan Jaukar and Taher Qadirian, on similar charges, were each sentenced to eight years in prison. Sam Rajabi, Sepideh Kashani, and Amirhossein Khalegi Hamidi were each sentenced to six years imprisonment on charges of “espionage.” Abdolreza Koohpayeh was also sentenced to four years in prison on charges of “assembly and conspiracy with intent to act against security.”
Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson for the US State Department, also condemned the prison sentences of these environmental activists in a tweet when the initial verdicts were announced. The sentences had been issued by the Revolutionary Court.
