Concordia University professor Homa Hoodfar has been detained in Iran, according to Global Affairs Canada.
Hoodfar, who teaches sociology and anthropology is known for her research on development, culture and gender in the Middle East, in particular studying campaigns to stop the stoning of women.
She has also written extensively about the veil from an anthopological perspective, notably how the image of the veil in Western society is locked into centuries-old ideas of oppression -- while ignoring that many women choose to wear the veil in order to have greater personal freedom,
"She's a very balanced and even-handed academic, so she was very confused about why she's been investigated and interrogated," said Hoodfar's niece Amanda Ghahremani.
Hoodfar was arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the Iranian military whose mission is to protect Iran's Islamic system.
"Under what circumstances, if she's isolated, if she's in solitary confinement, we don't know," said Ghahremani.
"My aunt is 65 years old. She has a degenerative, neurological condition. She needs medication. She has chronic tension headaches."
"She hasn't access to her medicine since they detained her and so I'm very concerned for her health," said Ghahremani.
Hoodfar holds Canadian, Irish, and Iranian passports.
She was reportedly first arrested in March and then released on bail. Since then, she was questioned several times without her lawyer present and reportedly prevented from returning to Canada.
This past weekend, Hoodfar was arrested and taken into custody.
"We're all, her friends, her family, we're all very concerned about her health and her frailty," said Ghahmeni.
Consular officials as well as Stephane Dion, the minister of foreign affairs, have been in touch with the Iranian-Canadian’s family. The federal government is “actively engaged” and is working closely with allies to assist Hoodfar.
For privacy reasons, the government said it cannot divulge too much about how it's trying to assist Hoodfar.
Hoodfar is being held in Tehran's Evin prison, the same prison where Montreal photojournalist Zahra Kazemi was detained. Kazemi died in 2003 after being raped and tortured by Iranian officials.
Concordia University said that had not yet received confirmation about Hoodfar’s arrest, but said they are concerned and if need be, would lend their support in any way possible to the Canadian government.
