Activists file torture complaint against Iranian 'cultural figure' held in France

NEWS WIRES

20 June 2024 at 10:39 am·1-min read

Activists said Thursday they were filing a torture complaint against an Iranian citizen held in France who was reportedly a former senior figure in state television in the Islamic republic.

Bashir Biazar has been held in administrative detention in France since June 3 pending expulsion from the country for separate reasons, at a time of strained relations between Paris and Tehran.

His lawyer has denounced his detention and planned expulsion as "political" while officials in Iran have condemned France over his arrest and urged his release.

Activist group Iran Justice and victims of human rights violations filed the complaint against Biazar in Paris. If the court decides to follow up on it, he could be kept in France to stand trial.

It accuses Biazar of complicity in torture due to his past work with Iranian state broadcasting conglomerate IRIB, describing him as a former director of production there.

Iranian state media have described him as a "cultural figure".

The complaint refers to the regular broadcasts by Iranian state television of statements by -- and even interviews with -- Iranian or foreign prisoners, which activists regard as forced confessions.

There are "serious indications" that Biazar could have been "personally involved" in the recording of such broadcasts, said lawyer Chirinne Ardakani.

(AFP)

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