update: We are appalled to learn that our friend and colleague, Dr. Kian Tajbakhsh, who, as we reported in our summer issue, was arrested and imprisoned in Iran at the beginning of July, has been sentenced in extra-judicial proceedings to up to 15 years in prison. He was charged by the Revolutionary Court with purportedly plotting with high-ranking reformists to overthrow the regime, with support from the U.S. His formal charges purportedly include espionage, cooperation with an enemy government, and acting against national security. All of these are baseless charges issued solely for political reasons. After his 2007 arrest and four-and-a-half-month detainment in solitary confinement, Kian cut his ties to international organizations and assiduously avoided all involvement with politics, even choosing not to vote in the recent presidential election. Despite this, he was caught up in the wave of arrests following the election and made to participate in televised show trials, which Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch denounced for their probable use of forced “confessions.” Kian continues to be denied access to his own legal representation. We call on the authorities in Iran to drop these charges at once and release Kian from prison, and we urge our readers to write letters to the Iranian authorities on Kian’s behalf.

More information about his case and appeals on his behalf may be found at www.freekian09.org.