Kian Tajbakhsh: Iran Arrests First American Citizen

NEW YORK — An Iranian-American scholar whom Iran once accused of fomenting political unrest has been arrested by authorities there for the second time in two years, the State Department and the man's family said Friday.

Security forces arrested Kian Tajbakhsh late Thursday, a family member told The Associated Press. The relative was in contact with Tajbakhsh's wife, who witnessed the arrest in Tehran.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters that the United States was aware of the arrest and was checking into the circumstances. He provided no further detail.

There was no comment from Iranian authorities. The relative spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of concern that public comments could aggravate Tajbakhsh's situation.

The arrest comes amid high political tension in Iran. Tehran has seen massive demonstrations following disputed June 12 presidential elections.

Opposition protests erupted again on Thursday in the capital, with marchers chanting "death to the dictator." In some places, clashes erupted as police fired tear gas and charged demonstrators with batons.

Tajbakhsh, a social scientist and urban planner, spent four months in prison in 2007 on charges of endangering national security. He denied the allegations.

In the latest incident, two people who identified themselves as Iranian security officials arrived at his residence in Tehran late Thursday, Tajbakhsh's family said. The officials questioned him and his wife and searched the residence for three hours, before taking him away along with two computers and other items.

The family said that they have no information about where Tajbakhsh was taken.

Tajbakhsh was held by authorities in 2007 after being charged along with three other Iranian-Americans with endangering national security. Then, he was a consultant with the Soros Foundation's Open Society Institute, an organization that Iran has accused of trying to undermine the Iranian government.

Tajbakhsh's family says that he ended his association with the Open Society Institute after his earlier imprisonment.

Iran's arrest of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi in January on spying charges sparked tensions at a time that U.S. President Barack Obama was looking for openings to negotiate on Iran's nuclear ambitions. Saberi was released in May ahead of the elections and returned to the United States.

Comments

[mergina]

The more they arrest, the stronger the movement gets. Iran will have its Freedom from the murdering despots at the top who hide behind a twisted version of a religion that condones brutality and murder. Seperate your religious beliefs from the state or you will NEVER be able to experience Freedom. Religions of the world do not allow Freedom, NONE OF THEM DO. It only comes when you seperate yourselves and your way of governing yourselves from IT.

[Khirad]

Whilst Iranian paranoia is not without some merit, I am confident they can arrest every so-called leader and they will come to find (what they've known for more than 15 years now) that this is an organic, domestic social movement, irrespective of Zionist twitterers, George Soros and any ultimately wasted and outright counterproductive destabilization funding. If this movement succeeds, it will be in spite of our blunders, not because of them.

To get a sense for what effect the IRI is going for here, you must watch its propuhganda:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL9MaZQORfI

Also, Italy yesterday, and now Germany are making their ways up the "arrogant powers" list:

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=100365&sectionid=351020101

[Callyson]

Thanks for posting that IRI propaganda video--very interesting. I just hope that the Iranian people know that the vast majority of Americans have no interest in colonizing them or stirring up violence against them: most of us, like most people in the world, just hope that the Iranian people are able to succeed in their quest for freedom.

[Javani]

"Zionist twitterers"

I am 100% certain the Iranian powers that be do not have such Western phantoms in their mind. You know nothing of Iran. But, if you imagined Iranians thought British twits were behind the troubles...you might be right.

"George Soros and any ultimately wasted and outright counterproductive destabilization funding"

He is only big enough for miniature balkan states and Georgia.

[am5454]

You're confident of that? well, what more could anyone ask for.

[Academic]

The US just released FIVE Iranian diplomats kidnapped and illegally held, contrary to international law, in 2007. In football (soccer to the uninitiated in the US) terms: United States 5, Iran 1.

By my maths the US are still ahead in the game.

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

[petera63]

By my maths (comma), you must have missed some essential literacy classes at school, "professor".

[Academic]

And what's your point? Are you denying that five Iranian diplomats were kidnapped by the US, held in Iraq since 2007 and just released a couple of days ago?

So what if Iran arrests a US citizen; I don't know what for and neither do you. So unless you're going to suggest that your country can do what it likes (why am I not surprised) and others can't follow suit, what are you really trying to say?

Like all dunces you probably looked in the mirror and saw your reflection staring back at you in all its absurdity. Go grow up; if you’re capable of doing so that is!

Professor Dr. Stanley Collymore.

[Khirad]

I'm quite aware of football, and Team Melli for that matter. I would put it more at 2-0, myself.

[mcmchugh99]

There's no need for Obama to rush into "engaging" with this regime in Iran. On the surface it is an all-powerful fascist police state, but it is rotting from within and lacking legitimacy or popular support. Let it collapse on its own.

[Clayton139]

I ageee; and it will in time !

[whoa20]

and this is the country we are supposed to "engage" with without pre-conditions. Thanks Obama for making America weaker. I think this is time to tell them release our citizen, or face consequences. This could be the chance to take out Iran's regime and their nuclear weapons program once and for all. Its about time.

[Andman0121]

The United States Government:
"Release him RIGHT NOW."
The Iranian Government:
"He foments rebellion."
The United States Government:
"Im sorry maybe you didnt hear me. Release him or face the consequences."

There. I just simply put what should be done

[am5454]

Internet tough guy. In real life wimp.

[PeaceIsMyName]

Let's hope they don't torture the man, like how the U.S. tortures its prisoners. I'm sure Iran won't, since they didn't the first time and will release the man if found innocent.

I wonder when those innocent people in Guantanamo Bay are going to be released...?

[wereeverywhere]

I wouldn't put it past IRI to torture. from http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/07/08/iran-detainees-describe-beatings-pressure-confess

A 17-year-old boy who was arrested on June 27 and released on July 1 told Human Rights Watch how his prison interrogator forced him and others to sign a blank statement of confession: "On the first day, while blindfolded, the interrogator took me to a parking garage. They kept everyone standing for 48 hours with no permission to sleep. On the first night, they tied up our hands and repeatedly beat us and other prisoners with a baton. They kept cursing at the prisoners. The atmosphere was very frightening. Everyone had wet themselves from fear and stress. There were children as young as 15 and men as old as 70; they'd be begging and crying for mercy, but the guards didn't care... "

[PeaceIsMyName]

From the link you provided: "The Iranian government is desperate to justify its vicious attacks on peaceful protesters," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

Peaceful protesters? Setting cars on fire, damaging property, ambushing a Swedish Iranian embassy, and killing several members of the police is hardly "peaceful".
I think the "Human Rights Watch" is showing bias.

Anyway, I don't believe there is no "torture" whatsoever in Iran. There very well might be. Heck, we KNOW the United States tortures people.

[am5454]

I can't believe Iranian police didn't let them riot and burn with impunity.

[Pleneras]

It ain't the first time countries arrest americans who are in their country when there is much turmoil. There are many american prisioners no one talks about.. except when it's a country "some" leaders talked about bombing.

[davidwayneosedach]

It is well past time for any sane American - half Iranian or not - to get out of Iran. They can come back when the revolution is over.

[RJII]

either get out or risk getting put in prison or worst like the risk Iranian reformist face daily.

[mcmchugh99]

They have not arrested more Americans because very few have ever gone there in the last 30 years. It is against the law for Americans to visit Iran at all without special permission from the State Department. The punishment is ten years in prison, and I have always agreed with this law.

[Khirad]

State Department has said much the same.

[helenwheels]

I don't Iike to be bossy about what to post, but it's painfuIIy obvious that atIanta1962 advocates gen0c!de and is just being beIIigerant to stir things up. Maybe we shouId start ign0ring it. After aII, it's onIy up here trying to draw attention to its id!0tic ideas.

[temenos]

atIanta1962 has been posting this nonsense for years under different handles....Bart, Peavey Dreamer etc. He is not from Atlanta but is a shyster lawyer from Toronto, Canada. Just ignore him and he'll go away. He will return,though after creating another sockpuppet.

[Gunga-Din]

Ahama rules

[brigadere]

Sorry, but if this guy is stupid enough to still be in Iran after all that is happening and the fact he has already been arrested once then this is his own fault and he has to deal with the consequences.

[MelloY]

Ya know, you could use the same reason in regards to the hate against Muslims here after 9/11. That he he took a risk to stay there and do what he felt he should doesn't justify the action against him. Yes, he took a known risk and his luck ran out. He has to deal with the consequences. That doesn't mean those consequences are right.

[RJII]

not the same risk at all. there was no poitical pubic uprising verses the US miitary and government leader

[Strywever]

Commitment to one's values, people, and country is "stupid" to you? Interesting.

[runfastandwin]

I think he understood the risk and chose to stay. So not stupid at all, but he did make the choice to stay.

[helenwheels]

TypicaI comment from someone who probabIy never Ieaves their cha!r.

[atlanta1962]

Typical comment from someone
who has nevere served their country

[wereeverywhere]

take it as a compliment that someone that disturbed doesn't like what you said.

[blah2 0]

If I had any ties to the US I would have been out of Iran after the Iranian American was arrested.

[Bluedogdemocrat8650]

Send the Navy Seals into Evin prison, and bust them out of there.

[Strywever]

You betcha! Great idea -- provide evidence that Ahmajinedad has been right all along, and that Americans are behind the unrest.

Good grief.

[Khirad]

Indeed.

[BeenieMon]

ooops....sure hope they don't torture him

now that the USA has legalized it.....it's going to be tough to stand on a moral highground

[Ravenback47]

The US hasn't legalized torture.

[helenwheels]

Then why isn't Cheney & the shrub in ja!I for breaking the law?

[Khirad]

That's why Europe is important and why IRI promoted UK to Bozorg-e Shaytan status and is going after Italy and Germany.