Uncredited / The Associated Press
The family of a Canadian-Iranian professor imprisoned in Iran says she is being held and interrogated in a notorious prison in Tehran without any charges.
Homa Hoodfar, 65, an anthropologist at Montréal's Concordia University, was first arrested by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on March 10 as she was preparing to leave Iran, her family said Wednesday. Hoodfar, who specializes in gender issues in Muslim societies, was in Iran to conduct research during its most recent election, which saw a record number of women elected, according to a press release from the family.
She was released on bail but then subjected to "numerous lengthy and grueling interrogations" over the past three months, her family says. She was arrested again on June 6, according to her family, and is being kept at the notorious Evin prison.
Hoodfar's family says they are unsure why she was arrested again, and what the charges against her are. Neither her family nor her lawyer have been able to see her.
The CBC reported that Iran has accused Hoodfar of "co-operating with a foreign state against the Islamic Republic of Iran."
The family is claiming that the Canadian government told them to keep quiet about the case while officials tried to use "back channels" to get Hoodfar out of Iran, the CBC reported. But now the family is worried it isn't working and is publicly calling for her release.
In an email to BuzzFeed News, Global Affairs Canada said the Canadian government "is actively engaged on this case" and working with its allies "in order to best assist Dr. Hoodfar."
Spokesperson Rachna Mishra said Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, Stéphane Dion, has met with Hoodfar's family and that other officials remain in close touch.
"Privacy considerations prevent the Department from discussing Government of Canada involvement in further detail, however rest assured that this case is a priority for us," Mishra said.
Concordia says it has spoken with Global Affairs and offered to help the Canadian government as needed.
In a statement Thursday, university president Alan Shepard said he was "profoundly concerned" about the situation. He said Hoodfar is a professor emeritus with "a distinguished academic record," and that many of her colleagues and friends are worried.
"At the same time, I am encouraged by the news that Global Affairs Canada is working through diplomatic channels to address this situation," Shepard said.
Hoodfar's family say they're especially concerned about her health. They say she suffers from a neurological disease and hasn't had access to her medication.
"At 65 years old, Professor Hoodfar's health is of great concern to her family, especially because she suffered a mild stroke last year," her family said in the release.
LINK: Family Of A British Mother Detained In Iran Want David Cameron To Help Bring Her Home
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