Iranian-American arrested on national security charges may have posted rights criticism online

Special to WorldTribune.com

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Iran says it arrested an Iranian-American dual citizen in late July on charges of plotting against national security and collaborating with hostile governments.

Robin Shahini in a family photo of his graduation ceremony from San Diego State University.
Robin Shahini in a family photo of his graduation ceremony from San Diego State University.

Mizan Online, the judiciary news agency, said on August 31 that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps arrested the person in the province of Golestan.

The report, which did not name the suspect, appeared to be referring to Robin Shahini.

According to friends of Shahini, he was arrested in July in Gorgan, the capital of Golestan Province, while visiting his mother.

His family members have said they feared Shahini — who left Iran in 1998 and has lived in San Diego, California, for 16 years — was arrested because of critical comments he made online about Iran’s human rights record.