Iran’s jailed political pawns must be freed

In addition to imprisoning activists, Tehran has routinely detained dual nationals and foreigners on bogus charges

An FBI poster showing a composite image of former FBI agent Robert Levinson. On the right, there is a picture of how he would look like now after five years in captivity, and an image, centre, taken from the video, released by his kidnappers, and a picture before he was kidnapped, left. AP PhotoShow less

Even in death, the Iranian regime offers little respite to its victims and their loved ones. The family of Bob Levinson, Tehran's longest-serving US detainee, revealed on Wednesday that the former FBI agent, who disappeared 13 years ago in Iran while investigating corruption allegations, had died in jail. “His blood is on their hands,” they said of the regime. Bereaved by his loss, their struggle for his release has now shifted to a fight to repatriate his body to America.

Tehran denies having detained him, but a US judge ruled this month that Levinson had been held and tortured by individuals acting on behalf of Iran.

In addition to imprisoning activists, Iran has routinely detained dual nationals or foreigners on bogus charges with the aim of using them as political pawns, and pressuring their home countries into compliance. A case in point is Tehran’s recent prisoner swap with Paris, in which a French university professor, held since June on sham accusations, was freed in exchange for the repatriation of a man wanted by the US for violating American sanctions against Iran. By detaining the innocent Frenchman, Tehran was able to free one of its own outlaws in what is essentially a hostage-taking strategy.

While the timing of Levinson’s death seems to precede the coronavirus outbreak, it is a reminder that in Iran, hundreds of thousands of inmates are held indefinitely in inhumane conditions with little regard to their health and well-being. Iran is the nation most severely hit by Covid-19 in the Middle East, with more than 35,400 recorded cases and 2,500 deaths, according to data tracked by Johns Hopkins. Experts believe the regime is under-reporting these already sobering numbers, having failed to contain the spread of this contagious disease.

Earlier this month, Iran had announced the temporary release of 85,000 detainees languishing in overcrowded jails, where it is impossible to impose social distancing and self-quarantine measures. Although some political prisoners and foreigners are reportedly among those released, many remain behind bars. Even those who have been temporarily let out fear for their health.

It is high time the regime freed all foreign and political detainees

Such is the case for Michael White, a freed US citizen displaying symptoms of coronavirus while also battling cancer. His tests results have yet to be confirmed, but his family is concerned that if he is not repatriated for treatment, his life will be at risk, given the enormous strain on Iran’s healthcare system.

Another high-profile hostage is Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian charity worker held since 2016. She was freed for two weeks this month but is under house arrest, and her husband and family are now campaigning for her unconditional release. While Zaghari-Ratcliffe and White are battling for their health and freedom after a temporary reprieve, others have not been so lucky. According to Human Rights Watch, Arash Sadeghi, a detained activist suffering from cancer has been denied release, temporary or otherwise. The detention of innocents is all the more inhumane now that Iran has fallen prey to a pandemic.

Tehran has taken a small step in the right direction by temporarily releasing some prisoners. But it is high time the regime freed all foreign and political detainees, and provided adequate attention to other inmates.