UPDATE 15a- Iran Renders Another Opinion in Zakka’s Case Affirming Prior Judgement

Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate & Hostage Nizar Zakka

Mr. Nizar Zakka issued the following statement upon the continuation of his detention:

“If you’re traveling to Iran on business or pleasure, let my case be a lesson and a warning to others considering visits to Iran. I’m not the only one. If you value your freedom and are a foreigner, Iran is not safe for you. Don’t come here. I was invited to speak at an Internet ICT conference by Vice President Shahindokht Molaverdi. On my way to the airport I was kidnapped, locked up in Evin Prison, and was falsely charged with espionage. I am innocent and the Iranians know it. There is no rule of law in Iran, and I am a victim of this, especially if you’re a foreigner. I will continue to speak out for freedom and justice.”

Mr Zakka’s lawyer in the United States, Mr. Jason I. Poblete, added:

“As we have said in prior instances of alleged judicial action, Mr. Zakka was subjected to a Star Chamber-like proceeding by certain people in the Iranian government who are more interested in using him, and others, as political pawns in international politics. It’s wrong and inhumane.

In 1979, Iran held Americans hostages to exact political concessions from the United States. The Iranians are doing it again, but this time Iran is using a different twisted method for what amounts to hostage-taking so that Iran can, among other things, circumvent U.S. and E.U. sanctions or use innocent civilians, such as Nizar, as leverage to negotiate flawed agreements such as the JCPOA.

In summary, Nizar was invited and given a visa, Nizar was kidnapped, and then Nizar was falsely accused of espionage. It appears that he was targeted for capture so that it coincided during a critical time of the JCPOA negotiations. For these and other reasons, Iran remains a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law. We shall continue to press all governments that can and should help to demand that Iran unconditionally release of Mr. Zakka.

Nizar was kidnapped by the Iranian regime on September 18, 2015. Nizar was in Iran because he was invited to speak by Shahindokht Molaverdi at a women’s Internet conference. Molaverdi is a member of Hassan Rouhani’s cabinet and serves as the vice president of Iran for Women and Family Affairs.

More information on Nizar Zakka’s case can be found below.

Prior Statements and Releases

July 28, 2017July 3, 2019

UPDATE 14- After Learning of Son’s Testimony, Congressional Resolution, Zakka Breaks Hunger Strike After 33 Days

Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka

After Learning of Son’s Congressional Testimony, Congressional Resolution, Nizar Zakka Breaks His Hunger Strike on 33rd Day

US Legal Permanent Resident, Nizar Zakka, concluded his 33-day hunger strike after learning of his son’s testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa on hostages held by Iran, as well as the passage of H.Res. 317, a House Resolution calling for the unconditional release of all U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents held hostage by Iran.

Through his attorney, Jason I. Poblete, Mr. Zakka issued the following statement:

“At the request of my sons, and because of the support of the American Congress, I’ve decided to stop my hunger strike. 33 days of hunger strike, and the support of family, friends, and even strangers, has helped me find protection, help, and guidance that I did not have before. I want to thank again the Congress, the American people, for not forgetting about me and other fellow hostages held captive in Iran. I also thank fellow hostages and prisoners in Evin prison, for showing solidarity with my cause, for treating me as brother, this has truly been a gift, a huge difference in how the Iranian government has treated me. I am innocent of the charges against me. I just want to go home and be reunited with my family and friends.”

For more information on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa hearing, “Held for Ransom: The Families of Iran’s Hostages Speak Out” go here.

The House Resolution, H.Res. 317 – Calling for the unconditional release of United States citizens and legal permanent resident aliens being held for political purposes by the Government of Iran, which was passed unanimously on July 26, can be read here.

Prior Statements and Releases

July 25, 2017July 3, 2019

MEDIA ADVISORY – Son of Hostage in Iran Nizar Zakka, Omar Zakka, Will Testify in Congress

The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa will be holding a hearing, “Held for Ransom: The Families of Iran’s Hostages Speak Out” to discuss American citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents being held hostage by Iran.

The son of Nizar Zakka, Omar Zakka, will testify in Congress today. Mr. Nizar Zakka’s youngest son, Mr. Omar Zakka, will represent his father this afternoon during a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa.

For the details of today’s hearing see the Media Advisory below.

When: TODAY, Tuesday, July 25, 3:00 PM (EST)

Where: House Foreign Affairs Committee, 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

Details: In addition to Omar Zakka, the following persons will also testify: Babak Namazi, son of Baquer Namazi and brother of Siamak Namazi, as well as Douglas Levinson, son of Robert Levinson. Visit the House Foreign Affairs Committee website for more information.

Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, released the following statement on today’s hearing;

“Iran has made it a practice to take American citizens and legal permanent residents as hostages in an effort to exact political and financial concessions. Since the Obama administration paid Iran a $1.7 billion settlement, the Iranian regime has arrested and tried under trumped up charges Siamak and Baquer Namazi, Nizar Zakka, and others. This tactic has caused a great amount of fear and pain for the families and loved ones of these Americans and U.S. legal permanent residents. This hearing is an opportunity for our subcommittee to hear from some of the families themselves the circumstances surrounding their loved ones’ cases. It is also an opportunity to hear from the family of Robert Levinson – the longest held civilian hostage in America’s history – who went missing in Iran in 2007 and has yet to be reunited with his family, despite repeated pledges by the regime to assist in his case.”

July 20, 2017October 5, 2020

Venezuela Sanctions – America ‘Will Act’ If Maduro Passes New Constitutional Assembly

Following an unofficial referendum held on Sunday, July 16, in which millions of Venezuelans voted in opposition to the decision by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to hold a constitutional assembly that would essentially rewrite the nation’s constitution, United States President Donald J. Trump issued a press release calling for free and fair elections for the people of Venezuela.

The Journal of Export Controls and Sanctions, WorldECR, discusses the recent developments in Venezuela and the potential for U.S. economic sanctions being placed on the divided country.

VENEZUELA SANCTIONS – AMERICA ‘WILL ACT’ IF MADURO PASSES NEW CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY

Developments in Venezuela one part of troubling picture for the US president.

The US government ‘will take strong and swift economic actions’ in the event that the Venezuelan government imposes its planned constitutional assembly. So said President Donald Trump on 17 July, the day after a Venezuelan referendum on the assembly, which, opposition leaders say, saw over 86% of the population rejecting the proposal.

The constitutional assembly proposed by Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro (and scheduled to come into existence 30 July) is controversial because, say observers, its intention is to bypass ordinary legislative processes. But it’s also being seen as a culmination of US frustration with the political situation in Venezuela – and beyond.

DC-based lawyer Jason Poblete of Poblete Tamargo told WorldECR that the current situation is ‘beyond tense – people are dying daily,’ and he said that the present time is seeing a number of issues converging, as a nexus between Venezuelan officials, Cuban political advisers active in Caracas, and links between the Central American republics with Iran, become clearer.

The article published by WorldECR can be found here.

July 18, 2017July 3, 2019

UPDATE 13- Fourth Week of Hunger Strike Zakka Says “Liberty or Death…there is no turning back”

Statement on the Continued Unlawful Detention of Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka

4th Week of Hunger Strike Zakka Says: “liberty or death … there is no turning back”

U.S. Legal Permanant Resident and Internet Freedom Advocate Nizar Zakka has begun the fourth week of his hunger strike protesting the false charges and cruel treatment he has been subjected to by Iran. Mr. Zakka’s attorney in the United States, Mr. Jason Poblete released the following statement:

Determined more than ever to secure his freedom, Mr. Zakka has started his fourth week of hunger strike to protest the false charges against him as well as the cruel treatment that he has been subjected to in Evin Prison. As he has done since the onset of this ordeal, Nizar maintains his innocence and seeks the unconditional release from Iranian captivity.

Nizar has been subjected to unspeakable acts of physical and psychological torture in violation of his fundamental liberties. Iranian officials know very well that torture, under any circumstances, is unacceptable. The prohibition against torture is so widely accepted that it is now a fundamental principle of customary international law. To this day, Iran has repeatedly violated the United Nations Convention Against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Despite significant pressures from his jailers in Evin, this past weekend Nizar said he remains committed to the hunger strike, for himself and others unjustly held, adding it is “liberty or death … there is no turning back.” Nizar is fighting not only for his liberty but also his life. On behalf of Nizar, we strongly urge all parties in a position to do so, to act swiftly to secure his release on a humanitarian basis.

More information on Nizar Zakka’s case can be found below.

Matter of Nizar Zakka – Hostage in Iran (YouTube)

Prior Statements and Releases