[ACT] Two years in solitary confinement: help free Vahid

Tell the Iranian government to free Vahid Afkari [View in Browser]( [Amnesty International candle logo]( [Tortured for protesting »]( [Vahid]( Hi {NAME}, This is Vahid Afkari and his two brothers. As I write, Vahid is in prison in Iran — where he’s been held in solitary confinement for over two years. Vahid was arrested four years ago after joining peaceful protests against political repression. Iranian authorities tortured him, forced him to sign false confessions, and sentenced him to decades in prison with 74 lashes. [Will you take action to demand Vahid’s freedom? Our simple tool will send your letter directly to the Iranian Embassy.]( Vahid’s case is featured in Amnesty’s Write for Rights campaign — where hundreds of thousands of people around the world write letters to help free and protect the rights of activists and people at risk. [Take action]( His story — being unjustly jailed for peacefully participating in protests — is emblematic of what is happening to people in Iran right now, including the recent widespread protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Vahid comes from a close-knit family. Some of his fondest memories are of singing and dancing at home with his brothers Habib and Navid. That all changed in 2018, when they were all arrested and convicted on politically motivated charges. Iranian authorities also tacked on baseless charges and sentenced Vahid’s brother Navid to death. Iran executed Navid in secret in 2020. If you’re disturbed to read this, {NAME}, you’re not alone. After Navid’s execution, thousands of people around the world and in Iran spoke out and demanded Habib and Vahid be released. This pressure worked: Vahid’s brother, Habib, was released in March 2022. But Vahid is still being held in solitary confinement. [Act now to demand Vahid’s freedom — and to express global solidarity with ALL protesters who are protesting peacefully in Iran.]( After adding your name, you can also write a short message to show Vahid and his family that he hasn’t been forgotten. We can make a difference when we all speak out together. We’ve done it already countless times. But we need you with us. Thank you. Elise Auerbach Iran Country Specialist Amnesty International USA [DONATE NOW]( © 2022 Amnesty International USA 311 W 43rd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036 | 1-800-AMNESTY Please don't reply to this email. You can send questions to aimember@aiusa.org. We’re so happy you’re here to hear about the most important updates on human rights! If necessary, you can [opt to receive fewer emails]( or [unsubscribe here](. [supporter]