Iran Sentences Dual Citizen to 10 Years in Prison Amid Growing Repression

Reza Valizadeh, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen and former journalist for Radio Farda, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Iranian court on charges of "collaborating with a hostile government." The verdict was issued by Judge Iman Afshari of Tehran's Revolutionary Court, Branch 26, on December 10, with additional restrictions following his sentence. Valizadeh will also be banned from living in Tehran and adjacent provinces, leaving the country, or joining political and social organizations for two years after his prison term ends.

Valizadeh was arrested on September 22, 2024, after returning to Iran to visit family. Despite receiving unofficial assurances from Iranian security officials about his safety upon his return, he was arrested and has since been detained under severe restrictions in Tehran's Evin prison. His two court sessions lacked a representative from the prosecution, with the judge assuming that role.

Human rights groups, including Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists, have condemned the charges against Valizadeh and called for his immediate release. The U.S. State Department also expressed outrage, labeling the detention "unjust" and inconsistent with international legal standards.

Valizadeh’s arrest highlights Iran’s broader crackdown on dual nationals and Western citizens, often using them as leverage in diplomatic negotiations. This comes amid ongoing repression of the press, with Iran ranked 176th out of 180 countries on the 2024 World Press Freedom Index.

In a separate development, Iranian security forces arrested Reza Khandan, the husband of prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, on December 13. Khandan had been involved in defending activists like Reza Khandan and Farhad Meysami, who were charged with “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the state.” This arrest further underscores the Iranian authorities’ crackdown on human rights defenders and activists advocating for reform in the country.

The continued harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, and activists in Iran reflects the regime's relentless efforts to silence dissent and suppress political freedoms. The international community has been increasingly vocal in calling for an end to these human rights violations and the immediate release of detained individuals.