Pressure on Families of Prisoners of Conscience to Keep Quiet

Reza Khandan, husband of imprisoned human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, was arrested after appearing at Evin Prison Courts today. An informed source close to Sotoudeh’s family told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that the prominent lawyer’s husband had been summoned to Court Four of Evin Prison for “providing some explanations.” After appearing at the court and several hours’ interrogation, Khandan was arrested and his release was announced conditional on “custodianship” [when a court-approved individual takes responsibility for a suspect, in lieu of bail].

“Nasrin Sotoudeh’s sister went to the courts to provide the custodianship documents, but her custodianship documents were not accepted and she was asked to introduce another custodian. However, the other custodian reached the courts at a time when the Judge had left, and hence Reza Khandan will stay the night at Evin Prison, until his new custodian returns and he is released,” the informed source told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

During the first days Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested, Reza Khandan was summoned to Evin Prison Courts, and he was advised against talking to the media.

Reza Khandan is husband of Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist, who has been at Evin Prison since September 2010. A lower court sentenced Sotoudeh to 11 years in prison and 20 years’ ban on her law career and foreign travel. Over the past few months, Reza Khandan has provided the media with information about his wife’s case and her conditions.