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Source: Reporters and Human Rights Activists of Iran
March 4, 2010
In an interview with RAHANA, Behnaz Mehrani explained the circumstances of his brother’s arrest and the raid of her own house.
RAHANA – Following the arrest of Behzad Mehrani we sat down with his sister Behnaz, who explained the circumstances of her brother’s arrest as well as the raid on her own house. Behnaz Mehrani is a children & women’s rights activist.
RAHANA- Can you tell us about your brother’s arrest?
Behnaz- Yesterday, between 9 and 10 a.m. and a few minutes after he talked to me over the phone, Behzad was arrested as he was leaving my mother’s house where he lives. The 3 agents who claimed to be from the Intelligence Ministry escorted him back to the house. They conducted a house search and seized some of his books as well as a few CDs that were the souvenirs of our father during the six months he was ill [before his death]. They then left and took my brother with them. Later on, another group which consisted of 5 agents came to the house to arrest Behzad and conduct a house search. Apparently the new agents who supposedly worked for another agency were not aware that Behzad had already been arrested. My mother told them about the arrest and asked to see their warrant. They showed her the corner of a warrant which had Behzad’s name on it and claimed they would have showed it to my brother had he been home.
RAHANA- Are you aware of the reasons which led to the arrest, or his current whereabouts?
Behnaz- Behzad was preparing to start his [university] studies in philosophy. Furthermore, since our father’s death Behzad and other members of the family have been in a terrible emotional state. Behzad has not been involved in any activity since a year ago and has been busy with his research and study. He has not even updated his weblog [in a long time]. Therefore to answer your question, I have to say he has not been accused of anything yet and legally speaking he has not committed any illegal act. My brother is and has been a blogger and researcher and all of his writings are available [to prove].
RAHANA- Do you have any information about his condition or current whereabouts?
Behnaz- Until now, we have no information regarding his whereabouts and the agents who arrested him yesterday did not say where they were taking him when asked by my mother.
RAHANA- Intelligence agents have stormed your house last night. Do you what were the reasons for their raid?
Behnaz- I am not aware of the reasons that led to the raid and they are the ones who have to answer for it. The fact that my husband and I were not home during the raid and the door was locked raises the question whether they had a warrant or what they were doing in the 5 hours they were inside the house between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
RAHANA- Since most of your family members have been threatened, who is following up on Behzad’s case?
Behnaz – My mother is ill and my younger brother has hearing disability, therefore my sister and her husband as well as other close relatives and Behzad’s lawyer will have the task of following up on his case. My husband was supposed to be part of the family effort but I haven’t heard from him since our house was raided last night.
RAHANA –Yesterday and today, a group claimed that Behzad’s arrest is related to the group’s activities. Can you confirm their claim?
Behnaz – As I said before the reasons for Behzad’s arrest have not yet been communicated to us and we have no idea what they could be. I want to announce unequivocally that my brother Behzad Mehrani is an independent blogger and researcher and has no links to any group or organization whatsoever.