Human Rights Defenders Demand Immediate Release of Reza Valizadeh

On Thursday, January 6, the Human Rights Defenders issued a statement condemning the 10-year prison sentence handed to Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist and former Radio Farda reporter, and called for his immediate release. According to the ruling issued by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, Mr. Valizadeh has been sentenced to 10 years of punitive imprisonment. His lawyer, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, stated that Valizadeh has also been sentenced to a two-year ban on residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces, a travel ban, and a prohibition on joining political parties. Aghasi wrote on social media platform 'X' that his client's crime was working for Radio Farda. Previously, a family acquaintance told Voice of America that Valizadeh considered his sentence 'harsh and unjust' and believes that 'the issuance of such extreme sentences stems from the regime's anger at the activities of foreign media and the inability of security agencies to secure the cooperation of journalists who have been arrested or caught in security traps.' Additionally, it was reported that Valizadeh was forced to conduct a televised interview with interrogating journalists. One of Valizadeh's acquaintances informed Voice of America that this coerced interview took place on Monday, January 3, in the building of the judiciary. He added that prior to this, Valizadeh was taken to a barber, and after having his hair cut and beard shaved by security forces, he was transferred to the public relations department of the judiciary. The Human Rights Defenders emphasized in their statement that 'journalism is based on the pursuit of truth and reflecting the voice of society, and authoritarian regimes cannot discredit it with staged displays or forced confessions.' According to reports received by Voice of America, the judiciary has coerced Reza Valizadeh into conducting a televised interview with interrogating journalists. In a phone call with his family, Valizadeh mentioned that he was forced to give an interview at the public relations office of the judiciary and indicated the possibility of a truncated version of the interview being aired by the interrogating journalists, stating that he had refrained from expressing the desired statements. An acquaintance of this Iranian-American journalist, who was aware of this phone conversation, told Voice of America that Valizadeh emphasized that they might only be able to use two sentences from the entire interview to present their preferred narrative. He requested that the entire interview be published. Valizadeh noted that the interrogating journalists wore masks, but it was clear that they had a history of such actions and were known to the public. Reports indicate that this Iranian-American journalist is imprisoned in Ward 8 of Evin Prison, known for its poor sanitary conditions, infested with bedbugs and environmental pollution, with Evin prison officials taking no action to address these issues. The issue of bedbugs in the prison became newsworthy in Ordibehesht when Zia Nabavi, a student activist imprisoned, wrote in a letter that the 'infestation of bedbugs' in Ward 8 has caused 'mental and physical distress' to the prisoners, stating that 'the basic and sanitary rights of prisoners are being ignored.' Valizadeh resigned from Radio Farda about two years ago, in 2021. Shortly thereafter, he announced on his social media account on 'X' that he returned to Iran on March 7, 2023, writing: 'I entered Tehran on March 7, 2023. Prior to that, I had unfinished negotiations with the IRGC Intelligence Organization. Ultimately, I returned to my country after 14 years at my own responsibility and without even a verbal guarantee.' According to information received by Voice of America, Valizadeh was under the supervision of security agencies and subjected to continuous interrogations from the moment he entered Iran until his arrest. According to Valizadeh's acquaintances, he was arrested on October 23, 2023, due to his refusal to cooperate with the IRGC Intelligence Protection and the Ministry of Intelligence and his refusal to express remorse for his journalistic activities. Reports indicate that this journalist spoke with his family about the 'very poor interrogation conditions during his detention in the IRGC,' which he described as 'torture.' He was held for 11 days in the custody of the IRGC before being transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. The family of this dual-national prisoner has not yet been allowed to visit him. The U.S. State Department condemned the arrest and 10-year prison sentence of Reza Valizadeh, a former Radio Farda journalist, in a statement sent to Voice of America on December 17, calling for his immediate release. A spokesperson for the State Department, in response to Michael Lipin, a Voice of America reporter, stated: 'We are aware that the Iranian government has repeatedly suppressed press freedom through threats, intimidation, arrests, forced confessions, and the use of violence against journalists in Iran. For this reason, we strongly condemn the prison sentence of Reza Valizadeh and call for his immediate release and the release of all political prisoners in Iran.' The spokesperson also reiterated a warning to Iranian citizens residing in the United States, emphasizing: 'Due to the risk of kidnapping and arbitrary arrest and detention, avoid traveling to Iran.' The Iranian government labels many Persian-language media outlets abroad, including Voice of America and Radio Farda, as 'hostile entities' and considers journalists from these media as security offenders.