Washington, DC - Five 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.

The United States will continue to urge the Iranian Government to respect its international obligations, including minimum fair trial guarantees and not subjecting its citizens to arbitrary arrest or detention.

We repeat our appeal for the immediate release of these individuals and of all prisoners who are being held for their religious or political beliefs.