California Student Arrested in Iran

If you're a Westerner, it seems that getting arrested in Tehran is quite easy.

The American Islamic Congress (AIC) today launched a letter-writing campaign calling for the immediate release of a California State University student arrested in Tehran after interviewing women’s rights advocates.

Esha Momeni is a native of Los Angeles who was visiting Tehran last week to conduct academic research on Iran's women's rights movement, filming video interviews with local activists.

Security officers arrested her during a traffic stop, seized her video tapes, and have held her in solitary confinement ever since in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison. When her family tried to visit her they were sent home.

To participate in the campaign go to www.free-esha.com.

I haven't heard any outrage expressed by the National Organization for Women (NOW) or other women's rights organizations. I wonder why.


[Update 11/18/08]

Momeni bailed out of prison. She awaits trial.