So apparently hunger strikes work after all.

May 11, 2009 8:42 AM

One step closer. Today, jailed Iranian-American dissident Roxana Saberi had her original term replaced with a suspended sentence and was freed from prison, allowing her to leave the country immediately. However, there is no word yet from Iran regarding our own Hossein Derakhshan, hoder on Metafilter, who was jailed along with Saberi three months ago.

In other news, Hoder was apparently a short-list nominee (though he didn't win) for the Economist New Media Award at the 2009 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards. Congrats, hoder; we hope to hear from you soon, and we've got you in our thoughts.

posted by koeselitz to MetaFilter-Related at 8:42 AM (12 comments total)

Sorry; citation for the fact that there's no word yet on hoder.
posted by koeselitz at 8:43 AM on May 11, 2009

Well, hoder was accused of being an Israeli spy, and he's Canadian, so it's not so clear that the same situation applies (whereas Saberi's case was a cause de celebre in D.C.)
posted by delmoi at 10:10 AM on May 11, 2009

The Canadian government is doing fuck all about this. The Conservatives really don't care about what happens to Canadian nationals when they leave Canada. If he is released, it will be because Iran was being generous, or got bored, etc.
posted by chunking express at 11:03 AM on May 11, 2009

I almost feel as if the Iranians arrested, charged, and sentenced her, only so they could then release her to appear benevolent. It's so crazy, it could work!
posted by Atreides at 11:28 AM on May 11, 2009

delmoi: Well, hoder was accused of being an Israeli spy, and he's Canadian, so it's not so clear that the same situation applies (whereas Saberi's case was a cause de celebre in D.C.)

I know; the big reasons I guess I hold out hope are (a) the charges of being an Israeli spy are insane; and (b) Achmadinejad mentioned him in making his (questionably effective) public request for fairness and justice.
posted by koeselitz at 11:43 AM on May 11, 2009

I almost feel as if the Iranians arrested, charged, and sentenced her, only so they could then release her to appear benevolent. It's so crazy, it could work!

No, you don't say? Iran use hostages for leverage? That's impossible!
posted by Pollomacho at 12:11 PM on May 11, 2009

This guy thinks someone paid a ransom for her.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 7:41 PM on May 11, 2009

The NY Times lede blog reports on hoder's status, in light of Saberi's release.
posted by chinston at 9:29 PM on May 11, 2009

I'm very pleased that Saberi was released, although I'm not sure if hoder can expect the same outcome. As many people have mentioned, the Canadian gov't doesn't seem as aggressive in protecting their citizens abroad, especially those who are naturalized citizens. Still, it's heartening that Ahmadinejad mentioned both hoder and Saberi in his statement which means there's still some hope for hoder. Meanwhile I hope he's being treated humanely while he's incarcerated, and that Saberi didn't have to endure any mistreatment (meaning torture, since imprisonment under false charges is mistreatment in itself).

Sort of crass to bring this up, especially in this thread, but koeselitz, whenever I see your handle I can't help but remember that "cos-eh leez" means "slippery vagina" in Farsi. Good thing you have that "t" in there.
posted by Devils Slide at 11:15 PM on May 11, 2009

I had no idea. How embarrassing.
posted by koeselitz at 3:00 AM on May 12, 2009

Hardly. More like heavens slide, amirite?
posted by Devils Slide at 12:27 PM on May 12, 2009

There's some interesting discussion of the Ledeen article.
posted by grobstein at 2:34 PM on May 12, 2009