A brief history of events
In May, 2008, Hamid, a Canadian citizen, left Toronto to visit his elderly mother in Tehran. Thereafter, his brother, Alborz, an Iranian national, was arrested. The following day, Iranian authorities searched his mother's house, seizing Hamid’s passports, credit cards and personal belongings in his absence. He immediately contacted the Canadian consulate in Tehran about his situation. They advised him that the Canadian passport was replaceable, but he would need his Iranian passport to exit Iran.
Information from Iranian authorities on when and where to collect his papers, led Hamid to a designated office, where he was immediately arrested on or about May 24, 2008. I contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs Canada in Ottawa who have been monitoring the case attempting to work through diplomatic channels with Iranian authorities to no avail. As Iran does not recognize dual citizenship, Hamid is considered solely Iranian by the government of Iran, therefore Hamid is not afforded consular access.
The evidence used against Hamid and Alborz is purported to be an email that Hamid would have sent to his brother Alborz. Hamid neither wrote nor sent such a message. This can only be a horrible mistake.
Hamid and Alborz were in solitary confinement for 18 months until the end of November 2009 when they were transferred to a general population section in Tehran's Evin prison. The relief did not last long: on January 20 2010 I was notified that Hamid's brother Alborz died in prison, reportedly of stomach cancer. My family and I are inconsolable and we are desperate to obtain Hamid's safe return home.
Please help Hamid by contacting Canadian government officials and let them know that their assistance is urgently needed.
Click here now to contact Canadian officials
With deepest gratitude for your help,
Antonella Mega
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