have emailed this to a load of folks. fingers crossed for him and his familyEarlier this week Kian Tajbahsh was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Iranian Revolutionary Court. He was arrested at the time of the protests following the disputed July election, and accused in essence of working on behalf of the CIA. Kian does not work for the CIA, and has in fact long been critical of American interference with the affairs of other nations. He is an Iranian-American scholar and urban planner who spent seven years teaching Urban Policy and Politics at the New School in New York City before returning to Iran to work on improving local governance, urban planning, public health and social policy in consultation with both Iranian governmental organisations and transnational NGOs. His expertise was utilised to help evaluate humanitarian relief and rebuilding projects in the aftermath of the 2003 Bam earthquake. Kian’s niece is a friend of mine and is, like all his family and friends, shocked and upset by the sentence. On her behalf I would like you to consider signing the petition for his release and passing this appeal along. Please leave no political remarks on the petition.
