“What Sin, What Crime Has My Son Committed?” Student Activist’s Father Demands To Know

Father of Ali Gholizadeh, a member of Tahkim-e Vahdat Student Union who was arrested on 5 November at his home, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that in a short telephone call to his mother, Gholizadeh told her that he remains in solitary confinement.

“I have not heard his voice in 20 days. Whom should I tell? I can’t bear this emotionally. What sin, what crime has my son committed? Is it right for a gifted university student to be in prison? I went to Tehran last week, but the case judge told me: ‘Leave, we will inform you.’ I want to go to Evin Prison on Friday, to see what happens. I will wait there, maybe I can hear my son’s voice. It is my right to hear my son’s voice,” Gholzadeh’s father told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.

“I wasn’t home then, I leave the house early in the morning to go to work and I return at dusk. His mother has gone to a group prayer now to pray for my son. She said Ali only made a very short call. Before my son went to prison, he had had an accident with my car and his shoulder hurt. I don’t know what condition he has right now. I want to go to Tehran on Friday to see what happens,” Gholizadeh’s father said about his phone conversation with his mother.

Ali Gholizadeh is former Secretary of Shahroud University Islamic Association, and current member of Tahkim-e Vahdat General Council. He was arrested at his home by security forces on 5 November. He has not been allowed any visits by his family so far.