Homa Hoodfar, Iranian-Canadian Professor, Freed In Iran
OTTAWA — Iranian-Canadian professor Homa Hoodfar has been released from an Iranian prison where she had been languishing since June.
Hoodfar, a retired sociology and anthropology professor from Montreal's Concordia University, was charged with "dabbling in feminism" and sent to Tehran's notorious Evin prison. A court found Hoodfar guilty, imposed a sentence of several years, and ordered her to be deported, a source told The Huffington Post Canada.
An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said Hoodfar, 65, had been released on "humanitarian reasons, including illness."
Iranian-Canadian professor Homa Hoodfar speaks to the media in Muscat airport, Oman on Sept. 26, 2016. (Photo: Oman News Agency via AP)
She landed on Monday in Oman, a country that had helped secure her release. She was to be greeted by Canada's ambassador to Saudi Arabia and undergo a medical exam before boarding another flight to London where she is expected to meet family members.
In a statement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canadians are relieved that Hoodfar was released from jail and would soon be reunited with her family, friends and colleagues.
"The Government of Canada has been actively and constructively engaged at the highest levels in Dr. Hoodfar's case — since her ordeal began — working for her release and return to Canada," he said.
"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. I would like to extend our sincerest appreciation for their support.
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posted by Mori A. at
9:25 PM
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