U.S. Student Jailed In Iran

California Woman In Tehran For Research, Family Visit Arrested, Amnesty International Says

(AP)  An American university student and women's rights activist has been arrested in Iran while visiting her family and conducting research for her graduate degree thesis, a human rights group has said.

Esha Momeni, a graduate student at California State University, Northridge, was arrested while driving on a highway in Tehran by officials who said they were traffic police, Amnesty International said in a statement.

The officials said the Oct. 15 arrest was for a traffic offense, but after arresting her, they took her to her family's home and confiscated her computer and other materials related to her research on the Iranian women's movement, the London-based rights group said in a statement posted on its Web site earlier this week.

Momeni, who is a member of the California branch of Change for Equality - an Iranian women's rights group - was later taken to Evin prison, Amnesty said. The Tehran facility is notorious for holding political prisoners.

Her family was told by an Iranian court on Monday that her case was still being investigated, and no details would be released until after the probe was completed, the group said.

Iranian judicial officials have not commented on the case, and no other details were immediately available in Iran.

The university is calling for her release.

"Anyone who values knowledge and the role of academic inquiry in shedding light on the human condition should be concerned," said the university's president Jolene Koester.

In Washington, the State Department said it was aware of reports of Momeni's arrest and was seeking more information.

Momeni was aware of the risks of her work, said Melissa Wall, her thesis adviser and director of the university's mass communications graduate program.

"We talked about the dangers," Wall said. "But in the end, it was her decision to go. She was interested in communicating to Americans a broader image of Iranian women. She has a lovely presence, she smiled a lot."

Momeni was nearing the scheduled end of her stay when she was arrested, Wall said.

Amnesty said dozens of other activists and supporters have been arrested in Iran in connection with their activities with the Change for Equality campaign, launched by Iranian women activists in September 2006.

The campaign is seeking to collect a million signatures in support of changing laws that deny women in Iran equal rights in matters such as divorce and court testimonies.

Momeni's arrest comes about a year after several Iranian-Americans accused of stirring up a revolution were released from Evin prison after spending months in detention. All four denied the accusations.

The jailings elevated tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which are already at odds over U.S. accusations that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons and is fueling violence in Iraq. Iran denies both claims.

Born in Los Angeles, Momeni enrolled at Cal State, Northridge in 2006, according to the university. Momeni's father came to Los Angeles in 1977 to pursue a civil engineering degree at Cal State. He later returned to Iran with his family.

[longtree-2009]

life is about choices. she chose to go to iran with full knowledge of the risks. don''t have sympathy for her. when in rome, you need to do as the romans. iran has its laws and ruling government and no one has the right to interfere in their internal affairs excepting in cases of genocide. if she broke iranian laws she needs to be punished under iranian laws.

[dogsoul]

Exactly... not ONLY does she willfully GO to that bag of sh*t country... but she DOES so in the context of furthering a women''s rights movement! She knew the risks... she took them... she''s in jail - period. While I applaud her efforts at trying to reform those barbaric Muslim animals, don''t expect any of US to go & rescue you...

[shochikibo]

she needs to be punished ?
what do you need ?
freedom of speech? access to information? freedom of association? access to rights and representation in courts of law? political representation? Health care? water?

[dogsoul]

If it seems like ''TiredoftheBS''s post is off topic... it is.... he''s going around spamming all the discussion forums with this conspiracy theory nonsense....

[qutlaw104]

When are these american do-gooders learn to keep their nose out of other countries bussiness. That is the reason more countries are starting to hate america.

Iran has no Human rights especialy womens''s right''s. They will never have any Rights as Long as there Rulled by The Koran, The rewritten one. and other Fanatics. She is a Good lookin Women. Wonder what she will look like when she is Released? Probly already Been Beaten, Raped and tortured by the Local Police and the prison Guards. If she is an american Citizen, we need to get her Back Now.

[kaubey-2009]

Tired0ftheBS -- That "bag of sh*t country" is, I''m confident, a place you''ve never been to. I suggest you withhold such asinine judgments to yourself until you''ve oh, I don''t know, actually BEEN there. Years ago, I lived in Tehran for about 2 years and found the "animals" you refer to to be far more gentle and hospitable than many -- if not most -- Americans. Think of the angry, hateful ignorance spewing so forcefully from you and ask yourself who''s not capable of barbarism. Ask yourself: "are my thoughts really my own, or have I been duped by the media into hating a culture I know nothing about firsthand?"

Barbaric, indeed.

[qutlaw104]

PJBohn985
Why do we need to get her back, we didn''t send her over there. She is old enough to know the risk which she close to ignore. She is on her own, and that ramble rousing outfit that she is asscociated with should go over and join her.

[emilymhanson]

There is NO WAY that researching women''s rights is the same as burning a cross. Burning a cross is an act of hate. Researching women''s rights is not. It is a shame we live in a world where people still think women should not have rights.

[emilymhanson]

There is NO WAY that researching women''s rights is the same as burning a cross. Burning a cross is an act of hate. Researching women''s rights is not. It is a shame we live in a world where people still think women should not have rights.

[hologram5]

@kaubey
I totally agree with you and well said. I have heard other countries calling us "cowboys" and whatnot but I know that most of us do not feel that way. I also know that Iran''s people are peace loving, it is the same with the majority of Iraq''s people. We all want the same, life liberty and to be able to live peacefully and raise our families.

[presjfk]

The message from Iran is clear, do not visit Iran.

[jschmidt27]

And this is the type of government that Obama wants to sit down with a talk over problems. He doesn''t know how to negotiate with this terrorists.

[frankinaz]

brdliky11 is tripping again and spewing stupidity.
He/she(?)is probably smoking marijuana grown on BLM
and National Park lands again...

[questionnews]

Tired0ftheBS -- That "bag of sh*t country" is, I''''m confident, a place you''''ve never been to. I suggest you withhold such asinine judgments to yourself until you''''ve oh, I don''''t know, actually BEEN there. Years ago, I lived in Tehran for about 2 years and found the "animals" you refer to to be far more gentle and hospitable than many -- if not most -- Americans. Think of the angry, hateful ignorance spewing so forcefully from you and ask yourself who''''s not capable of barbarism. Ask yourself: "are my thoughts really my own, or have I been duped by the media into hating a culture I know nothing about firsthand?"

Barbaric, indeed.

Posted by kaubey at 09:49 AM : Oct 24, 2008


He will not respond to anyone. The guy is ripping off peoples names (mine included) & using CBS as his personal spam dump site to advertise his or his boss''s website. Just look at almost any story and you will see his ads.
I am curious how much activity posting here has sent to his website courtesy of CBS. CBS should ask for a cut of his profit.

[steelers151]

So you all think it''s ok for them to come in our country and given all our freedoms and rights with them while their trying to destroy us. I''m sure they have their secret cells here waiting for the right time to act. They''ll always be backward people with no morals of humanity. So we need to start treating them the way their country treats us...... "RIGHT" But that would be wrong of "AMERICANS". This only one reason why the United States is FALLING to other countries laws and their way of life. Bring their *** here and we change so we don''t offend them but we go to their country we don''t have rights. Whats wrong with you people?????? You let any country treat your fellow Americans like this your no better than their country.

[palin08o8]

You know what I changed my mind about Obama! I think he will be better for national security and the economy!

Plus sarah palin $150,000.00 on clothes, most Americans could have bought a home for that amount!

Besides I think Sarah Palin is really a Terrorist

Breaking News: The Terrorist Group AKA Alaska Independent party Calling on Russia to help secede from the Union
www.chilitoz.com
Extremists Mark Chryson and Steve Stoll former leaders of the Alaska Terrorist group AKA Independence Party and friends of Sarah Palin are calling on Russia to help them gain independence from the United States.

Watch video of Sarah palin addressing The Alaska Terrorist Group also known as The Independence party. They are calling for a civil war against the mainland.
www.chilitoz.com

[newsjunky5]

She is Iranian-American. America is full of immigrants who dislike the leadership in the countries they come from. Often they work to change that leadership. That is the nature of Iran''s crackdown on her. I don''t believe it''s women''s rights alone that they''re reacting to. If you visit China, they want to know if you''re Chinese-American or Taiwanese, and put you in a different catagory if you are. Florida is full of Cubans who hate Castro and work against his government, etc. Some of these folks work with our government, some don''t. We''ve read about the same thing happening to Moslems in the US who were activists. Only after making sure the Moslems weren''t tied to violent acts were they released by court action. I''m sure the Iranians are as afraid of her and possible espionage. I''ll bet she gets released, or they''ll execute her and a star will go up in the lobby at Langley.

[mattrau3]

No one, I mean no one should go to any country and knowingly break their laws and not expect them to react according to their laws. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

[good4always]

brdliky11 is tripping again and spewing stupidity.
--------------------------

Posted by listenupfool at 10:36 AM : Oct 24, 2008


No, it is not stupidity. He sounds more like a pscychopathic brutal killes. ... notice how he always talks about brutalized dead babies.

He needs to be investigated by FBI. I wont be surprised if he does horrible violent stuff with babies in his basement

[mattrau3]

No one, I mean no one should go to any country and knowingly break their laws and not expect them to react according to their laws. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

[good4always]

WHY PEOPLE HAVE FACINATION OF SHOVING FINGER IN SOMEBODY''S ELSE A SS. ..... the finger not only WILL smell very very bad but also the guy being fingered will not like it either.

And this is what happened in this woman case.

[credibility2]

Another ignoramus over-indulged kid who thinks he can do whatever he so pleases in any country he feels he has a right to enter unconditionally, regardless of whether or not his intentions and motivations seemed reasonable to himself and others. Perhaps he''ll learn his lesson while in an Iranian jail.

[gangesdak]

Sorry, no sympathy for this student. Such people, in the guise of a student, usually go to countries like Iran just to whip up something. Also, the subject of her reserach is of minor importance; people with minimal talent get interested in such subjects. Find something worthwhile to do, gal.

[helenahandb]

I know folks like her are trying to make a difference and maybe one day their changes will come. But there are consequences to their actions and she got what she had to have known was possible. She chose to go there and do what she did. She gambled and lost. Too bad it happened but it was her choice. No sympathy here.

[mjm117]

She may have gone well knowing what could possibly happen, but I do find it funny that so many people on this site are basing her?? Are these comments coming from the same people that blast middle eastern beliefs? Are these comments coming from the same people that want us to maintain a military presence in the middle east?

I commend her for standing up and doing something that most of the world would NEVER do. Can''t fault her for trying to fight for womens rights. I guess all you loonies would have gotten up and moved to the back of bus huh?

[guatom]

I am amazed as I read these comments. The news story tells about a young, beautiful, educated Iranian-American''s dilemma of being imprisoned while in the country of her ancestors. As her motives seem to have been to investigate woman''s rights in Iran, it would seem rather unlikely that she was part of some clandestine plot to overthrow the government. Then I read hate-blogs. Never the less, for all the blogging "protectors of Iran", you would probably be surprised to learn that most Americans could care less about the country of Iran. We grieve to think of fellow human beings suffering and dying under the rule of tyrants, not because they are from a specific country but because they are like us, human beings.

[redbds]

She may have gone well knowing what could possibly happen, but I do find it funny that so many people on this site are basing her?? Are these comments coming from the same people that blast middle eastern beliefs? Are these comments coming from the same people that want us to maintain a military presence in the middle east?

I commend her for standing up and doing something that most of the world would NEVER do. Can''''t fault her for trying to fight for womens rights. I guess all you loonies would have gotten up and moved to the back of bus huh?

Posted by mjm117 at 11:59 AM : Oct 24, 2008

But, you do have to fault her for not being too smart. By doing what she has she has taken herself out of the fight. Would it not be better for her to not be in prison and fighting for women''s rights from the outside. She has proven that she isn''t the sharpest tool in the shed.

[toolmangler-2009]

Posted by gangesdak at 11:42 AM : Oct 24, 2008



A company I work for uses the excuse "We''ve done it this way for a hundred years" to cover engineering mistakes. My answer without fail is "And for a hundred years you have been wrong". Muslims are so afraid of women learning anything that they have ''beheaded, stoned, imprisoned and treated them with contemp for over 1400 years. This tells me that Muslims are more thick heaaded than their western brothers. Even the people I work for change their minds when I am proved right, (which is often).

[excoachken]

Sounds like the other side has their own Guantanamo.

[toolmangler-2009]

He needs to be investigated by FBI. I wont be surprised if he does horrible violent stuff with babies in his basement
Posted by Good4Always at 11:23 AM : Oct 24, 2008



Thats right! who knows, He/she/it might be a serial killer tempting us with clues and laughing behind our backs.

[missingamerica]

But, you do have to fault her for not being too smart. By doing what she has she has taken herself out of the fight. Would it not be better for her to not be in prison and fighting for women''s rights from the outside. She has proven that she isn''t the sharpest tool in the shed.

Posted by redbds at 12:44 PM : Oct 24, 2008

Gee...somebody who constantly talks the evils of Democrats and the wisdom of Republicans - and particularly this President - criticizing someone who takes the fight right smack into the middle of Iran without the support of a massive army.

What - is it her failure to know her place as a woman that gets under your skin?

[talkingham]

And we should arrest her when she gets back tot he USA for going back to iran.

[good4always]

She is Beautiful. She is turning me ON big time. I want her to have platonic sexual relationship with no string attached.

[mjm117]

But, you do have to fault her for not being too smart. By doing what she has she has taken herself out of the fight. Would it not be better for her to not be in prison and fighting for women''''s rights from the outside. She has proven that she isn''''t the sharpest tool in the shed.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by redbds at 12:44 PM : Oct 24, 2008


I disagree. Unfortunately, we wouldn''t be reading an article about her most likey if she hadn''t been put in jail in Iran. This may actually bring more light to her cause.

[wwudiver]

Click, click pull. Bomb those *** into next week. We need to be responsible with our nuclear power, let''s let some of those *** know that we can and will use it. If you injure an American anywhere in the world, you should know that we will kill you, your children and your grandmother. Then we will go eat some waffles. Discussion on conventional warfare is obsolete. Never, under any condition touch an American, not a suggestion, we can and we should send unmitigated destruction to their neck of the woods. It is not hawkish to defend your people, that is what a nation does.

Deep fried Umah anyone?

[zietzke-2009]

More feudelism from the terrorist regime / government of Iran...I hope this young lady is released very soon and unharmed.

The U.S. Government should be DEMANDING her release immediately ! This is an outrage !

[cheris13-2009]

waffles,lol,lol,lol,she is very brave,she is smart,she weighed the cost and found the need ,to be more important than her safety.

[cheris13-2009]

she is a winner

[prelgovisk]

Don''t worry, ...Obama will talk to them and they will suddenly become our friends.

[srz25]

DON''T YOU WORRY ABOUT A THING, THERE''S ABSOLUTELY NO FREAKIN'' WAY IRAN CAN POSSIBLY BE ANY WORSE THAN FLORIDA:

yeah hi, do you believe a judge should go to prison for attempting to rule that attempted murder by forcible suffocation not only isn''''''''t a crime at all in florida, it isn''''''''t a tort at all in florida, in fact it''''''''s a medical procedure, for which priviledge i''''''''m forced to give the state my whole life savings?

doesn''''''''t that sound bad?

this is a real lawsuit, orange co. case # 2003 ca 5314. i am totally unrepresented, haven''''''''t been able to find a lawyer in 7 years. the judge is cynthia mackinnon, and if i could fire her i would have fired her four years ago. after all this time i still have no clue whether she is republican or democrat.

[dooney8]

srz25, is that your inmate number. This is an article about a woman arrested in Iraq and you''re talking about an unrelated, personal court case. Let me guess, someone was trying to kill you by suffocation and you defended yourself.