‘We have to speak up’: Son of kidnapped dissident calls for Iran to free his father

The son of an American-Iranian dissident kidnapped by the Iranian authorities and not seen in public for a year, has called on the international community to speak out – saying he increasingly fears for his ailing father’s wellbeing.

Days after Iran was accused of plotting to kidnap New York City-based reporter Masih Alinejad, and even researching making use of a speedboat to spirit her away from Brooklyn, the son of Jamshid Sharmahd said it was vital to speak out over the fate of his father, who was seized a year ago in a manner only sightly less unlikely.

“I would just say, ‘Don’t be keep silent, we have to speak up. Now is definitely the time’,” said 33-year-old Shayan Sharmahdsaid, who urged Iran to release his father.