Homa Hoodfar Returns to Canada

Homa Hoodfar, the Iranian-Canadian professor at Concordia University, returned to Canada on Thursday, October 8, just three days after her release from prison in Iran. According to the Associated Press, she had been imprisoned in Iran for about four months. Upon her return to Canada at Toronto airport, she stated, 'Returning home and being with family and friends is great.' Hoodfar had traveled to Iran to visit family after the death of her husband but was interrogated by security agents and banned from leaving the country last year. Her family reported that she had been detained in Evin prison since June. Hoodfar's academic research focuses on development, culture, and gender in Middle Eastern countries, and she had previously taught anthropology and sociology at Concordia University in Toronto. After her release from prison, she flew to Oman on Monday, October 5, and then to Canada. She mentioned that the hardest part during her detention was worrying about her family and not being allowed to meet or talk to them. She thanked everyone who helped secure her release, including the Canadian government and the Sultan of Oman. Hoodfar also expressed disbelief about her release until she boarded the plane, stating, 'In Iran, nothing is certain until everything is confirmed.' The Iranian judiciary labeled her charges as 'security-related,' with the Tehran prosecutor stating that she had engaged in 'feminist' activities. In recent weeks, Hoodfar's family and supporters reported that her health was severely compromised due to solitary confinement, stating she could hardly walk or speak. In a press conference on Thursday, she said, 'I still feel weak and powerless, but I am feeling better.' Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed pleasure at Hoodfar's release and thanked the governments of Italy, Switzerland, and Oman for their assistance. Since 2012, when the Conservative government of Canada severed diplomatic relations with Iran over disputes regarding its nuclear activities, the Canadian embassy in Tehran has been closed. The Iranian government does not recognize dual citizenship, which means individuals like Hoodfar who are detained in Iran cannot access consular services and support. In most cases, such dual nationals are tried in secret by revolutionary courts that handle cases of individuals accused of attempting to overthrow the regime. This year, several dual nationals have been detained by the Iranian government, and analysts believe that the hardline faction of the Iranian government is trying to use these individuals as leverage in negotiations with the West.