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Statement on Armenian Republic Day: Appeal From Family for Unity and Support for Silva Harotonian, Imprisoned Humanitarian Worker

Posted on: Thursday, 28 May 2009, 09:21 CDT

Armenian Woman Detained in Iran on Political Charges

From Klara Moradkhan (Los Angeles, Calif.), Cousin of Silva Harotonian

LOS ANGELES, May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following urgent message is from Klara Moradkhan, cousin of Silva Harotonian, a young humanitarian worker of Armenian descent jailed in Iran since June 2008 on political charges:

Each May 28, Armenians worldwide unite to celebrate Republic Day, marking the formation of the Democratic Republic of Armenia more than 90 years ago.

This year, my cousin Silva Harotonian, a humanitarian worker of Armenian descent, will spend Republic Day imprisoned in Iran on political charges of creating a "soft revolution." At the time of her arrest, Silva was living in Armenia and had traveled to Tehran for her job with an NGO.

On this day of unity for the Armenian people, I urge my fellow Armenians - in our homeland, and around the world - to remember Silva and to join our efforts to secure her merciful release.

Silva, an Iranian citizen, has always treasured her Armenian background, studying Armenian literature in university and eagerly accepting the opportunity to live in Armenia after a childhood in Iran.

Held in Iran's Evin Prison since June 2008, Silva is an innocent young woman trapped in an unfortunate misunderstanding. An employee in the Yerevan, Armenia, office of the International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), Silva visited Tehran as an administrator for IREX's exchange program for maternal and child healthcare professionals in Iran and the United States.

Silva was sentenced to three years in prison in January 2009. Her first appeal was denied in March 2009 and her second - and final - appeal is pending.

Silva has never acted with bad intentions toward Iran. She took her position with IREX as an administrative staffer to support her family and improve the lives of others through this non-political program.

On behalf of Silva's family, I respectfully and emphatically continue to ask the Iranian government to grant Silva her freedom. I encourage others to join our effort by visiting www.FreeSilva.org.

SOURCE Klara Moradkhan, FreeSilva.org

Source: PR Newswire

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