Call for the Release of Iranian Writer Siamak Pourzand
Siamak Pourzand is an Iranian intellectual, and former head of the Tehran Artistic and Cultural Centre who was arrested in 2001, and imprisoned in 2002 on charges of “undermining state security”. Siamak has written articles critical of the Islamic regime. He is also the husband of Mehrangiz Kar, a writer, human rights lawyer and editor of the now banned “Zan” literary review who was also imprisoned by the Iranian regime. Sydney PEN is concerned for Siamak’s health and is calling for his immediate release. Sydney PEN is a part of International PEN, the largest writers organisation in the world, with centres in over 100 countries. It’s a non-political, non-governmental organization campaigning for freedom of expression, and working for the release of writers held in prison. Cinnamon Nippard spoke to Chip Rolley, Chair of the Writers Prison Committee from Sydney PEN.