Political activist released from prison, says “staying alive” main concern
Washington, 26 May (IranVNC)—Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, a political activist released from Tehran’s Evin Prison on Saturday after seven years in prison, has said that “staying alive” is a main concern for dissenting political activists in Iran.
By: IranVNC
Published: Tuesday, May 27, 2008
01:46GMT—9:46PM/EST
ACTIVIST – INTERVIEW
Washington, 26 May (IranVNC)—Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, a political activist released from Tehran’s Evin Prison on Saturday after seven years in prison, has said that “staying alive” is a main concern for dissenting political activists in Iran.
In an interview with Radio Farda [RFE/RL] after his release, Tabarzadi commented on his life after prison.
He told the radio he is now serving a sentence of “societal deprivation,” which limits his work and political activities. He cannot become managing editor of a publication or head of a political party and cannot form a political party. The sentence also prevents him from running for political office and holding a government post.
Asked about his future plans, Tabarzadi told Radio Farda he hoped to be a “voice” for human rights issues, specifically those regarding political prisoners, whose numbers are growing and whose living conditions in prison are “not very good.”
“In Iran, we do not expect to be able to do any systematic political, civil and peaceful systematic work,” he said. “But me, and others like me must have the guarantee [Persian: amniyat] that we will stay alive. This issue in itself is a major worry that now exists for many activists inside the country,” Tabarzadi said.
Tabarzadi, who was the managing director of the banned weekly Payam-e Daneshju [The Students’ Message], was released from prison after paying a fine of about $900, Radio Farda reports.
Source: Radio Farda in Persian
© IranVNC 2008. All rights reserved.
(Original article written in Persian.)