On September 29, the Iranian government sentenced 33-year-old Canadian-Iranian writer Hossein Derakhshan to 19.5 years in prison for his writing. He was accused of many bogus crimes, including being an Israeli spy, but his real “crime” was blogging about Iran. He is currently being held at Evin prison, notorious for the torture and murder of its inmates.
Please write the following people to ask for his immediate and unconditional release. A model letter is on the PEN website where you can get more details. If your country has a diplomatic mission in Teheran, please copy your ambassador or other representative: if the Iranian authorities realize an international audience is reading your letter they will take it more seriously.
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic
His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Shoahada Street, Qom
Islamic Republic of Iran
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri
Tehran 1316814737
Islamic Republic of Iran
WITH COPIES TO…
President
His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The Presidency,
Palestine Avenue
Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: Via Foreign Ministry: +98 21 6 674 790
(mark: “Please forward to H.E. President Ahmadinejad”)