After Chinese poet Liao Yiwu was barred from leaving his country to attend a literary event in Germany, another activist poet, Simin Behbahani from Iran, was held by intelligence officers at IKA airport in Tehran for questioning. She was asked a series of questions and her passport was seized. "The authorities gave me a letter referring me to the revolutionary court to get my passport back," said Behbahani.
The 82-year old poet was set to attend the International Women's Day in Paris. She had prepared a text on feminism and a poem as a homage to women for the event. Behbahani's poems depict her struggles for women's rights in Iran and her signature can be found in all petitions for the freedom of those detained after the waves of protests following the June 2009 presidential elections.
The 82-year old poet was set to attend the International Women's Day in Paris. She had prepared a text on feminism and a poem as a homage to women for the event. Behbahani's poems depict her struggles for women's rights in Iran and her signature can be found in all petitions for the freedom of those detained after the waves of protests following the June 2009 presidential elections.
