Concordia University professor Homa Hoodfar, who has been detained in Tehran’s infamous Evin prison since June 6, has been released, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has confirmed.
Hoodfar’s colleagues at the Montreal university are set to make a statement on her release and return to Canada at 1 p.m. ET.
Hoodfar, who is 65 and suffers from a rare neurological disease that causes severe muscle weakness, was in hospital at one point before being returned to her cell, according to her family. They said she could barely walk or talk.
The Iranian-Canadian anthropology professor was arrested while on a personal and research visit to Iran, her family said.
“Canadians are relieved that Dr. Hoodfar has been released from jail and will soon be reunited with her family, friends and colleagues,” Trudeau said in a statement.
“In the absence of diplomatic representation of its own in Iran, Canada worked closely with others who were instrumental in helping secure Dr. Hoodfar’s release — most notably Oman, Italy and Switzerland.”
Iranian authorities were first to confirm that Hoodfar had been released.
Justin Trudeau✔@JustinTrudeau
Canada thanks those who helped secure the release of Dr. Homa Hoodfar from jail in Iran. Please read my statement:http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/09/26/statement-prime-minister-canada-release-doctor-homa-hoodfar ...
Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the release of Doctor Homa Hoodfar Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued the following statement on the release of Dr. Homa Hoodfar who had been held in jail in Iran since June, 2016 pm.gc.ca“We’re glad she’s on her way home,” he said.
He said when it comes to Canada’s approach of trying to restart diplomatic relations with Iran and reopen an embassy, the Liberals are proceeding step by step.
“Our strategy of cautious engagement is a harder path than that chosen by the previous government, but if we want to make real progress in the promotion of human rights and the security of our allies, it’s the only way forward.”
‘Dabbling in feminism’
She had been charged by Iranian authorities with collaborating with a hostile government against national security and with propaganda against the state.
Those charges, however, were never presented to her lawyer. Instead, they were published in the Iranian press, quoting the prosecutor as saying Hoodfar was “dabbling in feminism.”
Hoodfar writes frequently on sexuality and gender in Islam.
Supporters in Canada and internationally have been calling for Hoodfar’s release.
They said she was being kept in solitary confinement and that her health was failing.
‘Surreal’ news
Haley Lewis, who helped organize a rally last Wednesday that attracted hundreds of Hoodfar’s supporters to a square near Concordia, said no one expected she would be freed so soon.
“It’s all so surreal, to be honest,” she said.
“Of course I would really want to see her with my own eyes, but I’m sure if she’s coming home, she’s going to want to spend some time with her closest relations.”