Iran - UPDATE - Release of human rights defender, Ms Shiva Ahari, on disproportionately high bail

Front Line welcomes the release of human rights defender, Ms Shiva Nazar Ahari, on bail of 200 million Toman (USD 200,000) on 13 September 2009,. Shiva Ahari is a blogger and a member of the “Association to Defend Children at work and Street” and the “One Million Signature Campaign” defending women rights. She was arrested in her Tehran home following the post-election protests of June 2009. During interrogation period, Shiva Ahari was held in solitary confinement in Evin prison south of Tehran.

On 2 September 2009, Shiva Ahari was granted a bail of five hundred million Toman (USD 500,000) for her temporary release, however, when Shiva Ahari's mother, told the court investigator that she could not afford this heavy bail he replied, "So let her stay in prison." Eventually the bail was reduced to the bail 200 million Toman.

Front Line remains deeply concerned about other human rights defenders who remain in detention. Front Line calls upon the authorities in Iran to drop all charges against Shiva Ahari and other human rights defenders who were targeted because of there work in defending human rights.

For the original Front Line update on detained human rights defenders please see Original Front Line Appeal. For the latest update on human rights defenders in Iran please see: Original Front Line Appeal.