The family of a Montreal-based university professor jailed in Iran says allegations against her are baseless.
Concordia University professor Homa Hoodfar has been held in Iran's notorious Evin prison since her arrest 21 days ago.
Iranian media reports she's being investigated for "dabbling in feminism and security matters."
Hoodfar’s family has been unable to speak with her or her captors.
Hoodfar, 65, has an illness that requires medicine and they are unsure she is receiving it. They say they are growing increasingly concerned about her physical and mental well-being.
Born in Iran, the world-renowned scholar now lives in Outremont.
Hoodfar has written on the practice of stoning, as well as on women wearing the veil.
Last winter, she travelled to Iran for personal reasons and also to conduct research.
In March, she was arrested by members of Iran's revolutionary guard and prevented from leaving. She was imprisoned in June.
The family says the prosecutor told Iranian media she was dabbling in feminism and security matters.
“There have been some rumours in Iranian media outlets that have close ties to the revolutionary guard that the charges involve my aunt fomenting film in a feminist soft revolution and there is a feminist conspiracy, but the details that have been shared and the allegations against her are baseless and not grounded,” said Hoodfar's niece, Amanda Ghahremani.
The family has insisted that Hoodfar is not subversive.
“She works to improve the daily lives of women and that's not a crime. It's not a crime to conduct research in Iran or elsewhere,” said Ghahremani. “She should not be in this predicament for thinking and for thinking critically.”
The family is working with Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion and international partners to secure her freedom.
