Silva Harotonian Released from Iranian Prison

On March 10, Iranian-Armenian Silva Harotonian was released from Tehran’s Evin prison. She had been arrested by Iranian authorities on June 26, 2008, at the age of 33. On Jan. 19, 2009, she was convicted of trying to foster a “soft” revolution in Iran, and was sentenced to three years in prison.

Silva Harotonian

At the time of her arrest, Harotonian was an administrative officer for a maternal and child health project for the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), a U.S. government-funded organization. She was on her fourth trip with IREX, and their only employee in Tehran.

Upon her release, IREX president Robert Pearson thanked the governments of Iran and Armenia for securing Harotonian’s freedom. “We are grateful for the government of Iran’s display of compassion to this vibrant and kind-hearted young woman. … With only the best intentions, Silva joined IREX with the hope of improving healthcare for mothers and children in both the United States and Iran. … On behalf of our organization, I would like to thank the government of Armenia for their engagement in securing Silva’s release.” Details of the Armenian government’s involvement remain a mystery.

Silva Harotonian’s arrest was first revealed on Jan. 21, 2009 by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran (ICHRI). ICHRI discovered that Harotonian had been detained and taken to the Esteghlal Hotel in Tehran for interrogations on June 26, 2008. She reportedly denied accusations that she was working on behalf of the U.S. government and that her activities were politically motivated. Her two interrogators, known as “Haj Agha” and “the Doctor,” transferred her to Evin Prison, where most political prisoners are housed.

ICHRI also learned from a former prisoner that Harotonian suffered from acute claustrophobia and “upon learning of her imminent imprisonment, she suffered a severe panic attack at Hotel Esteghal.” Once transferred to Evin, she was placed in solitary confinement in cell 25, and after 10 days she was forced to read a “confession,” which was videotaped. According to ICHRI, her confession stated that she had been recruited by the CIA and the Pentagon, along with other medical experts led by Dr. Arash Alaei, to “widen the gap between people and state” by causing unrest in Iran.

Although aware of her arrest, Harotonian’s family chose to keep quiet, hoping for leniency by Iranian authorities. Following ICHRI’s report, her family launched a website (www.FreeSilva.org) calling for her release.

While at Evin prison, Harotonian shared a jail cell with American-Iranian freelance journalist Roxana Saberi, who was arrested in Tehran in January 2009 on charges of espionage. Saberi had initially faced an eight-year prison term, but was later released in May 2009. Following her release, Saberi made a public plea for her former cellmate’s release. On June 24, 2009, at a press conference in Paris, Saberi spoke in support of Harotonian. “Silva provided hope and comfort to me while I was in prison,” Saberi said. “And I am here to do what I can to raise awareness about her situation now that I am able.”

Harotonian is a graduate of Tehran’s Azad University, where she studied Armenian literature. She later moved to Yerevan, Armenia, where she began working for IREX, supporting medical practitioners in Tehran.

Human rights organizations have condemned such arrests in Iran as violations of human rights and freedom of speech. In the past few years, several journalists, humanitarian workers, and activists have been arrested for allegedly engaging in plots against the Islamic Republic.

While the United States has denied carrying out direct operations in Iran, it has funded organizations that have worked with other NGOs in Iran. The Iranian government is highly suspicious of such organizations and fears covert operations on the part of the U.S.

Nanore Barsoumian is a staff writer for the Armenian Weekly.

Nanore Barsoumian

Nanore Barsoumian

Nanore Barsoumian was the editor of the Armenian Weekly from 2014 to 2016. She served as assistant editor of the Armenian Weekly from 2010 to 2014. Her writings focus on human rights, politics, poverty, and environmental and gender issues. She has reported from Armenia, Nagorno-Karabagh, Javakhk and Turkey. She earned her B.A. degree in Political Science and English and her M.A. in Conflict Resolution from the University of Massachusetts (Boston).
Nanore Barsoumian

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4 Comments

  1. I am so glad that she has gained her freedom back. My wishes for all those who are wasting their lives in the dark cells for nothing. I hope that one day they will achieve a successful revolution that will release the Iranians from the oppressive regime.  Let there be light, more light.

  2. Note to idealistic college students:  It is true that foreign intelligence agencies may be trying to exploit your sense of idealism to make trouble in Iran.  Obviously, there’s a balance to be reached in doing what your ideals tell your is right in relation to social causes, while also closely scrutinizing the background players (including intelligence agencies that want to exploit you).  That being said, I am glad this young woman was released; but PEOPLE PLEASE TAKE CARE WHEN THERE IS WAR TALK BETWEEN NATIONS.

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