May 26, 2018
Issa Kalantari, head of Iran’s Environment Protection Agency, was quoted by state media as saying May 22 that the conclusion had been reached by a panel set up to investigate the allegations against the activists.
The panel included the ministers of justice, interior and intelligence plus the vice president for legal affairs, Kalantari said.
“This four-member group has come to the conclusion that these detained individuals are in custody without having done anything and naturally they must be freed soon,” Kalantari said.
It is unprecedented for a government official in the Islamic Republic to say publicly that someone in custody and awaiting trial is innocent and must be freed.
Iran detained several environmentalists and wildlife activists earlier this year on espionage charges. The total number of those arrested has not been disclosed but is believed to be about a half-dozen.
Judiciary officials claimed the activists were gathering sensitive information for foreign governments under the guise of scientific and environmental activities.
Among those detained was Iranian-Canadian environmental activist and sociology professor Kavous Seyed-Emami, who died in prison under disputed circumstances.
The Judiciary said the 63-year-old committed suicide in prison. That claim has been questioned by his family and friends.
Kalantari’s deputy, Kaveh Madani, was briefly detained and questioned. He fled the country last month and said pressure from hardliners forced his departure.