Senior UN official calls for release of imprisoned environmental activists in Iran
The Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) posted a message on Twitter on the third anniversary of the imprisonment of Niloufar Bayani, a former staff member of the programme, in Iran.
Inger Andersen, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the organization's Environment Program, tweeted on Thursday, January 15, "January 14 marks the third year of imprisonment of Niloufar Bayani, a former UN Environment Program fellow and imprisoned environmental activist, in Iran."
Ms. Anderson wrote in this tweet: "I continue to call for forgiveness for all of them and their safe return to their families."
In late February 2019, the Voice of America reported that these environmental activists, who had been arrested by the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence agency on charges of espionage, had been sentenced to a total of 58 years in prison.
Niloufar Bayani and Morad Tahbaz were sentenced to ten years in prison on charges of “collaborating with the United States” and refusing to pay the money they received, Hooman Jokar and Taher Ghadirian were sentenced to eight years in prison each on a similar charge, and Sam Rajabi, Sepideh Kashani, and Amirhossein Khaleghi Hamidi were sentenced to six years in prison each on charges of “espionage.” Abdolreza Koohpayeh was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of “gathering and colluding to act against security.”
In late February 2019, the Voice of America reported that these environmental activists, who had been arrested by the Revolutionary Guards' intelligence agency on charges of espionage, had been sentenced to a total of 58 years in prison.
Niloufar Bayani and Morad Tahbaz were sentenced to ten years in prison on charges of “collaborating with the United States” and refusing to pay the money they received, Hooman Jokar and Taher Ghadirian were sentenced to eight years in prison each on a similar charge, and Sam Rajabi, Sepideh Kashani, and Amirhossein Khaleghi Hamidi were sentenced to six years in prison each on charges of “espionage.” Abdolreza Koohpayeh was sentenced to four years in prison on charges of “gathering and colluding to act against security.”
US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus also condemned the prison sentences issued by the Revolutionary Court in a Twitter message when announcing the initial sentences of these environmental activists.
