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Freed Scholar Recounts Iran Prison Ordeal

Esfandiari recalls determination not to 'succumb to despair'

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Sep 10, 2007 12:15 PM CDT
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(Newser) – It took a daily routine for Haleh Esfandiari to stay level-headed during her 105-day stint in Iran's notorious Evin prison. The Iranian-American scholar paced her room for 3 to 4 hours a day, read, and wrote a book in her head to ward off depression. She was treated respectfully, but "a prison is a prison," she said upon returning to the US.

Esfandiari, 67, was detained at the end of a family visit in December and not released until last week. She attributes Tehran's interest to her job with a Washington think tank. "There is a concern among certain elements that the United States has planned some sort of Velvet Revolution in Iran," she told CNN.

ian Tajbakhsh, accusing them of endangering national security. Esfandiari described what appeared to be her activities as director of the Middle East program at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. (AP Photo/IRIB)
ian Tajbakhsh, accusing them of endangering national security. Esfandiari described what appeared to be her activities as director of the Middle East program at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson International...   (Associated Press)
In this image made from video provided by IRIB/IRRIN, Haleh Esfandiari, director of the Middle East program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, speaks to reporters after her release from the Evin prison in Tehran, Iran on Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007l. The detained Iranian-American academic was suddenly released...
In this image made from video provided by IRIB/IRRIN, Haleh Esfandiari, director of the Middle East program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, speaks to reporters after her release...   (Associated Press)
Haleh Esfandiari a detained Iranian-American speaking in this image taken from TV during a TV interview at an unknown location in Iran that was aired in Iran on Monday July 16, 2007. Iranian state-run television on Monday showed footage for the first time of two of the four Iranian-Americans detained...
Haleh Esfandiari a detained Iranian-American speaking in this image taken from TV during a TV interview at an unknown location in Iran that was aired in Iran on Monday July 16, 2007. Iranian state-run...   (Associated Press)
This undated photo provided by Bakhash Family shows Haleh Esfandiari, director of the Middle East program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Esfandiari was permitted to leave the country and rejoin her family in Austria, her lawyer and family said Monday, Sept. 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Bakhash Family)
This undated photo provided by Bakhash Family shows Haleh Esfandiari, director of the Middle East program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Esfandiari was permitted to leave the...   (Associated Press)
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Esfandiari's job at the Wilson Center
Associated Press

Esfandiari's homecoming
Washington Post

(In)justice in Iran
Huffington Post

World • US

 
Iran • prisoners • Haleh Esfandiari • scholar • foreign intelligence • Evin • political prisoner • Velvet Revolution

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