Zoroastrian Couple in Iran Faces New Charges

Kateh Vafadari, sister of Karan Vafadari, a Zoroastrian citizen imprisoned in Iran along with his wife Afrin Nissari, has announced that the couple has been charged with 'new allegations that were not raised during interrogation sessions' and 'charges that had previously been dismissed by the investigating judge due to lack of evidence' after nearly eight months of detention by Judge Salavati. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported on Friday, March 10, quoting Ms. Vafadari, that the charges against her brother and his wife could lead to '21 years in prison, along with fines, confiscation of their house and other properties including their cars.' In a letter addressed to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic in December of this year, Ms. Vafadari stated that her brother and his wife were arrested by security agents in August. In her new letter, she also mentioned that Judge Salavati rejected the couple's lawyer and told her brother he must change his attorney. According to Kateh Vafadari, her brother and his wife were initially accused of possessing alcohol at home and socializing with foreign diplomats in Iran, leading to charges of 'espionage and collaboration with the enemies of the state,' and their home was labeled a 'center of corruption.' However, in a recent session with Judge Salavati, they were also charged with 'attempting to overthrow the regime,' 'selecting and employing spies through foreign embassies,' and 'conspiracy against national security.' Based on Ms. Vafadari's account, the couple was transferred to general ward after five months in solitary confinement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and are currently awaiting their trial presided over by Judge Salavati. Previously, Roberto Toscano, former Italian ambassador to Iran, condemned the arrest and detention of Mr. Vafadari and Ms. Nissari in an open letter. In that letter, which was made available for publication by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Mr. Toscano sarcastically stated, 'Because I have witnessed and been a partner in such 'corruption,' I feel it is my duty to say something. Karan Vafadari and Afrin Nissari are among the most genuine, valuable, and respectable people I have known during my five years of service as Italy's ambassador in Tehran, and the home I visited more than once was certainly not a den of vice.' Karan Vafadari, an Iranian Zoroastrian citizen, is a graduate in electronic engineering and management from New York University. Afrin Nissari is also a graduate in architecture from Iran. The couple has three children, all of whom live in the United States. They also managed an art gallery called 'An' in Tehran, which was sealed along with their home and cars after their arrest.