September 10, 2010

The Committee of Human Rights Reporters: On the morning of September 9th, Arzhang Davoudi was able to meet his wife Nazanin Davoudi. One prison official [first] extensively searched Nazanin Davoudi using various scanning devices. Families of other prisoners were surprised by the actions of the prison official.

Arzhang Davoudi was brought into the visitation room in a wheelchair. His appearance was pale and thin. He is reported to be extremely weak and experiencing blurred vision. Azrhand Davoudi announced to his wife that he will continue his hunger strike until all his demands are met.

His demands include [rights] to standard telephone conversations and visitation. He also demands that his complaint against the head of Rajai Shahr prison [Hassan Akharian] be investigated. Arzhang Davoudi also stressed that his confiscated house should immediately be returned to him by the judiciary so that his family is not stranded.

Arzhang Davoudi’s house was confiscated and sold based on an order by judge Haddad. Recently Nazanin Davoudi was interviewed by Radio Farda regarding the situation. She said, “Our house was both residential and also used as a school. The school’s name is Parto-e Hekmat Cultural Education Center [located in Tehran]. Many students studied there [and Arzhang Davoudi is the director of the school]. Our home was sealed off and parts of it were dug out for investigation purposes. At first we were told that our home would only be sealed off for a few days. But, they sealed off the house for three years, and then we were told that, unfortunately, they sold our home. Whenever we inquire about the reasons why [our house was sold], we receive no responses.”

Arzhang Davoudi was arrested in October 2002 on charges of “acting against national security” and “writing a secular manifesto for Iran.” He has been imprisoned ever since.

For the past two months, Arzhang Davoudi has been on hunger strike in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj. His physical condition is very critical. His lawyers are Mr. Dadkhah and Mr. Rayeesian.