Update: Two Iranian-American Scholars Free to Return to U.S., Two Others Remain
By Daniel Hollingsworth
September 4, 2007 | Printer Friendly

The Wilson Center for International Scholars has announced that Haleh Esfandiari, the Wilson Center’s Director of Middle East Studies, has been released from prison and is returning home to the United States.  Esfandiari was arrested on May 8 and charged with endangering Iranian national security.  After months of incarceration, which she says included 105 days of solitary confinement, Esfandiari was released on bail on August 21, and her passport was restored September 1.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty also reports on September 4 that Parnaz Azima of Radio Farda has received her passport and will be permitted to leave Iran.  Azima has been prevented from leaving since January, but Iranian officials notified her on September 3 that her passport would be returned.

Voice of America reports that an Iranian judicial official has indicated that Kian Tajbakhsh of the Open Society Institute will also be released on bail when the investigation into his charges is complete, but no timetable for such a decision was identified.  Ali Shakeri of the Center for Citizen Peacebuilding at the University of California at Irvine continues to be detained, and no news of any changes to his status has yet been reported.

References:

Wilson Center: After Months of Uncertainty and Imprisonment, Dr. Haleh Esfandiari Returns Home

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Radio Farda Broadcaster Allowed to Leave Iran

Voice of America: Iranian Official Says US-Iranian Academic Tajbakhsh Will Get Bail