Nizar Zakka

Nizar Zakka
Nizar Zakka speaking at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2015
Nationality Lebanese (permanent resident of the U.S.)
Occupation Secretary general of the Arab ICT Organization (IJMA3)

Nizar Zakka is a Lebanese national and U.S. Legal Permanent Resident who was kidnapped and taken hostage by Iran on September 18, 2015. An information technology expert and advocate of Internet freedom, Mr. Zakka served as secretary general of the Arab ICT Organization (IJMA3) in Washington, D.C. After he was kidnapped and taken hostage, Iranian state media sources said Mr. Zakka was in custody on charges of being an American spy.

On or about September 18, 2018, the person who invited Nizar to visit Iran, former Vice President Shahindokht Molaverdi, told the Associated Press the Iranian government has made mistakes in this case and that "[w]e did all we could to stop this from happening, but we are seeing that we have failed to make a significant impact."

Early life and education

Nizar Zakka was born in Lebanon,[1] and holds permanent-resident status in the U.S.[2] He attended the Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia, for high school, graduating in 1985. He attended the University of Texas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and mathematics in 1989 and a Master of Science in computer science in 1991.[3]

Arrest in Iran

Zakka traveled to Tehran on September 15, 2015 to participate in a conference on entrepreneurship, at the invitation of the Iranian government. On September 18, he disappeared while on the way to the airport to leave the country.[4] On October 31, 2015, the Beirut-based Daily Star reported that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) was holding Zakka.[5]

On November 3, 2015, in the first official confirmation of his arrest, Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said Zakka was in the custody of authorities on suspicion of being an American spy.[2][6][7] IRIB described him as a "treasure trove" because of "connections with intelligence and military bodies in the United States."[4] As evidence, Iranian state TV displayed a photo of Zikka in army-style fatigues, which Zakka's family identified from a homecoming parade he participated in as an alumnus of his military high school in Georgia.[2]

Prior to his arrest in Iran, he was living in Washington, D.C., where he served as the secretary general of the Arab ICT Organization, known as IJMA3.[1] Zakka’s family said they were "shocked by these false accusations" and stressed that he has no "relation with any military, security institution or secret services whatsoever."[2]

Prisoner of conscience and international support for Nizar's Release

On January 9, 2017, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, Ms. Asma Jahangir, raised alarm over the critical health situation of several prisoners of conscience including, Nizar Zakka, on prolonged hunger strike in the country.[8][9]

The United States Congress approved two resolutions H.Res.317 and S.Res.245 that mention Mr. Zakka and other U.S. persons unlawfully detained in Iran. The Congress urges President Trump to "take whatever steps are in the national interest to secure the release of such individuals. Lawmakers also stressed to "make the release of U.S. citizens and legal permanent resident aliens held hostage by the Iranian government the highest of priorities."

As Iran is holding hostage nationals from other nations including innocent persons from the United Kingdom, among other nations, Congressional lawmakers stress the need for a multinational task force to work to secure the release of the detainees.

References

  1. 1 2 "Iran: Lebanese-born technology envoy with 'ties' to U.S. military is arrested". The Washington Post. November 3, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Iranian state TV claims missing Lebanese citizen is a spy". Associated Press. November 4, 2015.
  3. ↑ "RMA Alumni Council". Riverside Military Academy.
  4. 1 2 Erdbrink, Thomas (2015-11-03). "Backlash Against U.S. in Iran Seems to Gather Force After Nuclear Deal". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  5. ↑ "Businessman Zakka held in Iran". The Daily Star Newspaper – Lebanon. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  6. ↑ "Iran arrests U.S.-Lebanese man in espionage probe: state TV, citing sources". Reuters. 2015-11-03. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  7. ↑ "Iran arrests U.S.-Lebanese man in espionage probe: state TV, citing sources". Reuters. 2015-11-03. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  8. ↑ ""Prisoners of conscience at risk of dying after prolonged hunger strike" – UN expert warns". United Nations. January 9, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Family, US Congress Convince Imprisoned US Permanent Resident to End Hunger Strike in Iran – Center for Human Rights in Iran". iranhumanrights.org. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
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