A Storyteller and His Times: 'Ali-Akbar Sa'idi-Sirjani of Iran

Iranian author 'Ali-Akbar Sa'idi-Sirjani was arrested on Mar. 14, 1994 and charged by the government for several crimes punishable by execution. Clearly, however, Sirjani was arrested in an attempt to silence his criticism of the government in his novels and, when those were banned, in letters. Despite the threat to his life, Sirjani continues revealing to his readers and supporters the power of language and literature. Expatriate Iranian intellectuals, media and academics have rallied in his defense and are seeking intervention from international organizations.