Source:

August 24, 2010

Iranian detainee, Zahra Bahrami, who was arrested last December in the Ashura Day protests in Tehran, remains in an undetermined state in Evin Prison.

Some reports have referred to Bahrami as “a Dutch-Iranian woman”, but it is not confirmed whether she is a Dutch citizen or resident.

In the past years, Bahrami made her residence in the UK.

Since yesterday, Dutch media have published a number of reports regarding Zahra Bahrami who had travelled to Iran to visit her children.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports that “Zahra Bahrami is said to have been tortured while in custody.”

The report adds that the Dutch foreign ministry is concerned that being accused of collaborating with dissident groups such as Iranian Monarchy Association and People’s Mojahedin Organization could translate into the death penalty for Bahrami.

The Dutch ambassador in Iran is reportedly forbidden from offering her any assistance.

Dutch representatives at the European parliament called on Catherine Ashton, chief of European foreign affairs to discuss the matter with Iranian authorities.

According to a number of Persian websites based in Europe, Zahra Bahrami has no visiting privileges at Evin Prison. Other unofficial reports indicate that she is suffering from a dire physical and psychological condition.

Rahana, Iranian Human Rights Reporters, reports that a number of human rights and democracy activists have informed them that Zahra Bahrami was seen with “ an swollen face and infected sores. She suffers from lung complications and depression.”

According to Rahana: “Zahra Bahrami met with Tehran prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi at Evin Prison, and Dowlatabadi told her that she has to first go to trial and be sentenced before she can be released. In the meantime, she is not even allowed to avail herself of the services of a lawyer.”

Dutch branch of Amnesty International has announced that it is in the process of investigating Zahra Bahrami’s case.

The 45-year-old Bahrami was shown on Iranian public television a while ago making a number of self-incriminatory confessions.