Iranian Philosopher Released From Prison

Ramin Jahanbegloo (file photo) (Fars) August 30, 2006 – The wife of the prominent Iranian writer and scholar has confirmed that her husband, Ramin Jahanbegloo, was today released from prison in Tehran.

Azin Moalej said Jahanbegloo was freed on bail but refused to provide further details.


Jahanbegloo was arrested in late April on charges of espionage.


Earlier this month Iran's Prosecutor-General Qorbanali Dori-Najafabadi said Jahanbegloo admitted to plotting a "velvet revolution" and apologized for his "mistakes."


Several human rights groups had condemned his detention and called for his release.


The EU and Canada had also expressed concern over his fate.


Jahanbegloo, a philosopher educated in France and the United States, has written and lectured on democracy in Iran.


(Fars, ILNA)

Ramin Jahanbegloo

Ramin Jahanbegloo


Ramin Jahanbegloo speaking in Tehran in 2004 (AFP)


THE FOURTH WAVE: In late April, it was announced that the Iranian authorities had arrested noted intellectual RAMIN JAHANBEGLOO. Jahanbegloo is a professor of philosophy in Iran and Canada and is the author of more then 20 books, including "Moje Chaharom" ("The Fourth Wave"). In November 2004, Radio Farda correspondent Fatemeh Aman interviewed Jahanbegloo about the current generation of Iranian intellectuals and its distinctive features.

Radio Farda: It seems that in your book you see a unique status and mission for the fourth generation in the process of progress and democratization in Iran. Why is that and what are the most important characteristics of this generation of intellectuals?

Ramin Jahanbegloo: The fourth generation is distinct from former ones for several reasons. First this is a democratically minded generation that cares about democratic values. This generation has a political approach toward these values and, importantly, it is heavily colored by the active presence of women. The other distinct feature of this generation is its belief in modernity. This modernity is not an imitation one, but rather is based on discourse. If in the past many thought they can become modern by imitating the Western way of life, today's intellectuals know that the real route to modernity is by understanding the modern world in the West and channeling this thought process into social, cultural, and political institutions....(more)


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