Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the various EU and UN interventions-discussions in the matter of a person (details supplied), an Iranian academic who was arrested in Iran on 9 July 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36419/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to the answers I gave on 27 April and 6 July to his questions on the matter. Dr Kian Tajbakhsh is a dual US-Iranian national, arrested in July 2009. Dr. Tajbakhsh's case was heard by an appeals court on 10 February and his sentence was set at five years for a variety of charges linked to the post-election disturbances in Iran. These charges have been strenuously denied by the US government, which has called for his release. I understand that Dr. Tajbakhsh was released on bail on 13 March for the Iranian New Year and allowed to return to his family. There have also been unconfirmed reports that Dr. Tajbakhsh was only released after payment of a substantial bail. Dr. Tajbakhsh's release period was further extended in early April. It remains to be seen whether he will be permitted to leave the country.

In a strong statement on Dr. Tajbakhsh's case on 1 December 2009, the EU Presidency reiterated its concerns and described the reports of Dr. Tajbakhsh facing additional charges as "deeply worrying". The EU statement urged Iran to comply with all international and regional human rights instruments which it had ratified, and not least with the relevant articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights regarding the right to a fair trial, which is also enshrined in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The case of Dr. Tajbakhsh, as an American citizen, continues to be dealt with actively by the Swiss Embassy in Tehran, which represents US interests in Iran. Our Embassy in Tehran also continues to monitor closely the case. I join the US Government's calls for the Iranian authorities to allow Dr. Tajbakhsh to leave Iran.