Global Persian Humor Association Expresses Concern Over Keyomars Marzban's Situation in Prison

The Global Persian Humor Association has expressed deep concern regarding the situation of Keyomars Marzban, a humorist and cultural activist reportedly detained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's intelligence unit. In a statement released on Monday, December 10, it was noted that Keyomars Marzban, a member of the association, has been in detention in Iran for over four months. Unfortunately, apart from distorted and unfounded information on an internet website, nothing has been disclosed about the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him. The Global Persian Humor Association further expressed 'deep concern' for the status of this 'young humorist' and urged Iranian authorities to 'immediately and unconditionally release him if the charges against Keyomars Marzban are related to his activities in writing and humor.' The statement added that 'if his arrest is related to other charges, the rights that every accused person should have access to, including the right to freely access a lawyer, clear understanding of charges, contact with family, and limitations on the application of temporary detention for Keyomars Marzban, should be enforced according to international legal conventions and the Iranian constitution.' Human Rights Watch, a New York-based human rights advocacy organization, previously reported that on August 25, agents of the Revolutionary Guard visited Keyomars Marzban's home, arrested him, and confiscated his laptop, mobile phone, and academic documents. In this context, a source informed the 'Human Rights Campaign' that Keyomars Marzban was arrested one year after returning to Iran. According to this report, Mr. Marzban had returned to Iran to visit his 'sick grandmother' and had not faced any issues during the past year. The Human Rights Campaign stated that this Iranian humorist is deprived of access to a lawyer in prison. One of Mr. Marzban's friends told the Human Rights Campaign in Iran: 'Keyomars loved writing and has grown significantly in this field over the years, despite being very young. He had no political affiliations with individuals or political groups, and his main concern was writing and literary activities. It is astonishing for us that he has been arrested, and at the same time, rumors are being spread against him that are not true.' It is said that Keyomars Marzban had established writing and screenwriting classes after returning to Iran in 2017.