Washington, DC - Four years ago today, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran placed former senior Iranian officials and 2009 presidential election candidates Mehdi Karroubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi, as well as Mousavi’s wife, women’s rights advocate Zahra Rahnavard, under house arrest without formally charging them with any crimes. We join the international community in condemning their continued detention and the harassment of their family members, and in calling for their immediate release.
Iran’s constitution, its laws, and its international obligations guarantee its citizens human rights and fundamental freedom and provide that no one shall be subject to arbitrary arrest or detention. The United States renews its call on every government, including the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to respect their international obligations and to release all prisoners in their custody.