Letter from Amnesty International Regarding the Disappearance of Ahmad Batebi - 2003-11-25

Letter from Amnesty International regarding the disappearance of Ahmad Batebi - 2003-11-25. Amnesty International, November 23, 2003. Translation: Amir Azar. To: Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mohammad Khatami, Office of the Presidency, Palestine Street, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Dear Hojjatoleslam, I hereby express my concern for the safety of Ahmad Batebi – a student movement activist – who has been reported 'missing' following a meeting with a UN representative on November 8. According to reports, Batebi has been on a 21-day medical leave from Evin Prison in Tehran since October 20, 2003, and was supposed to return to prison on November 10. He was sentenced to ten years in prison for participating in student protests in Tehran in 1999. Reports indicate that on November 8, he met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, Ambeyi Ligabo, who was visiting Iran. After this meeting, he went to Tehran University with a few friends to attend an iftar party. Reports indicate that two hours after he left, his father, Mohammad Baqer Batebi, became worried when he had not heard from his son and noticed that his son's mobile phone was also off. Mohammad Baqer Batebi contacted friends, acquaintances, judiciary officials, and prison authorities but was unable to locate him. There was no news of Ahmad Batebi anywhere. On November 11, his father stated that unknown individuals had contacted his family several times and threatened Ahmad Batebi's life and that of his family. Such threats have increased my concern for Ahmad Batebi's safety. I urgently request that you ask the Iranian police and judiciary to conduct an immediate investigation into the 'disappearance' of Ahmad Batebi and to ensure his safety and whereabouts. Thank you for your attention, and I await your response. Sincerely,