VP/HR — The case of Sabri Hassanpour and other dual nationals imprisoned in Iran

27.6.2017

Question for written answer E-004253-17
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Marietje Schaake (ALDE)

On 24 June 2017, a Dutch newspaper reported on the case of Sabri Hassanpour. Mr Hassanpour has dual Dutch-Iranian citizenship and has been imprisoned without trial in Iran since April 2016 on charges of spying[1]. Diplomatic efforts by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to negotiate Mr Hassanpour’s release through diplomatic channels have so far been unsuccessful.

Mr Hassanpour suffers from a heart condition and his family is unable to pay the EUR 125 000 set for his release.

In addition to Mr Hassanpour, two other Dutch-Iranian nationals, as well as other dual nationals, including Kamal Foroughi, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Siamak and Baquer Namazi, Robin Shahini and Nizar Zakka, are currently imprisoned in Iran.

1. Is the VP/HR aware of the case of Mr Hassanpour? If so, what is her assessment of his case, most notably the charges levelled against him and his imprisonment without trial?

2. Will she be in contact with the Iranian authorities at the earliest possible opportunity to discuss the cases and release of Mr Hassanpour and all other dual nationals currently imprisoned in Iran?

3. When will the next EU-Iran human rights dialogue take place and what substantive progress does the VP/HR expect from Iran in the field of human rights in the coming period?

• [1] http://www.volkskrant.nl/buitenland/-help-me-60-jarige-nederlandse-iranier-zit-al-jaar-vast-in-iran-voor-spionage~a4502521/