Campaign by PEN Canada and Amnesty International for the Release of Mostafa Azizi

PEN Canada and Amnesty International have launched a supportive campaign demanding the immediate release of Mostafa Azizi, a former writer and producer for Iran's state television, ahead of his trial. A statement from PEN Canada, published on Friday, June 8, refers to Mostafa Azizi's conditions in Evin prison in Tehran, where he was arrested on February 1, shortly after returning to Iran from Canada, where he had lived for about five years, on charges of 'insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic', 'insulting the leader of the Islamic Republic', and 'propaganda against the regime'. The statement notes that although Iranian authorities have not provided many details about Mr. Azizi's charges, they appear to stem from his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression, including his writings on Facebook and other social media. PEN Canada then invites its members to urge Iranian authorities to release Mostafa Azizi immediately and unconditionally, in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Mr. Azizi's trial is set for June 1 in Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati. According to Mr. Azizi's family members, he suffers from diabetes, heart disease, and rheumatism, which led to his transfer to Evin prison's medical facility for several hours in late April. Amnesty International's statement also references Mostafa Azizi's physical condition and emphasizes the need to provide him with medical care outside of prison. The organization calls on its supporters to urge Iranian authorities, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, to release Mr. Azizi. Amnesty International's statement also asserts that this writer is imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. Mostafa Azizi, 53, is the author of the short story collection 'I Am Raymond Carver' and a producer of television programs such as the quiz show 'Knowledge and Intelligence' and the series 'Traveler'. He immigrated to Canada in 2010 and returned to Iran recently, shortly before his arrest.