Here is a statement from the ICC Board of Directors about Saeed Malekpour on the eighth anniversary of his arrest:

The ICC calls for the release of Saeed Malekpour and asks the Government of Canada to advocate for his release through diplomacy and dialogue. 

The Iranian Canadian Congress once again calls for the release of Saeed Malekpour and asks the Government of Canada to follow up on his case to secure his release. Saeed Malekpour has been imprisoned in Iran since 2008. According to Amnesty International, Malekpour created software which was used, reportedly without his knowledge or permission, for posting pornographic images online.

Malekpour is a Canadian Permanent Resident and lived in Canada from 2003 to 2008, when he was arrested in Iran while visiting his ailing father. While we acknowledge that Malekpour’s status as a Permanent Resident and not a citizen is a hurdle in Canada’s advocating on his behalf, the fact that Malekpour lived in Canada for 5 years before his arrest and would very likely have become a Canadian citizen by now makes him in all respects a Canadian which the Government of Canada should protect and aid.

The Iranian Canadian Congress therefore asks the Canadian government to follow up this case and to engage in direct diplomatic dialogue with Iranian authorities to secure Mr. Malekpour’s release. 

Board of Directors

Iranian Canadian Congress

October 4, 2016