Baktash Abtin

Baktash Abtin (Mehdi Kazemi) (Persian:بکتاش آبتین (مهدی کاظمی); 16 December 1974 – 8 January 2022) was an Iranian poet, writer, and film maker who was imprisoned for 'propaganda against the state' and 'actions against national security'. He had professional associations with the IFFR and was supported by Amnesty International after his imprisonment.

Baktash Abtin
Born
Mehdi Kazemi

16 December 1974
Ray, Iran
Died8 January 2022(2022-01-08) (aged 47)
Tehran, Iran
Resting placeImamzadeh Abdollah
Occupation(s)Poet, writer, filmmaker
OrganizationIranian Writers Association
Notable workPotk
Mori Wants a Wife
13 October 1937
Spouses
Solmaz Mohammadkhani
​
​
(m. 2004; div. 2006)​
    Maryam Yavari
    ​
    (m. 2009)​
    ParentAssadollah Kazemi (father)

    Life and imprisonment

    Baktash Abtin published three books of poetry, developing an interest after finishing high school. Following his pursuits in poetry he wrote a script, was in a TV movie, and directed his first film in 2005.[1] Abtin wrote extensively on history, sociology, and literary criticism.[2] Abtin went on to direct at least six additional films (all with dialogue in Persian) up until 2013 including some features touching on more comedic and intimate aspects of Iranian Society. Abtin was arrested at least once before his final detainment after participating in a commemoration for murdered writers on 2 December 2016.[3][4][5] After involvement with the publication of a book describing the history of the Iranian Writer's Association, Abtin was charged on 15 May 2019, with "illegal assembly and collusion against national security" and "spreading propaganda against the state".[6] He was sentenced to a total of 6 years imprisonment.[7] Baktash Abtin entered Evin Prison in Tehran on 26 September 2020.[8]

    In September 2021, Abtin was honored along with his co-authors Keyvan Bajan and Reza Khandan Mahabadi with the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.[9][10]

    Illness and death

    On 4 April 2021, Abtin was transferred to the prison clinic after showing symptoms of pneumonia likely linked to the internationally prevalent COVID-19 pandemic.[11] During this initial period of illness, Abtin was allegedly denied proper treatment and he was released back to the general population within a week while still unwell. Abtin decided to self-quarantine in the prison's hussainiya to protect fellow inmates from his own probable infection. Abtin was finally granted a medical furlough for treatment by family appointed doctors in October 2021, after never having fully recovered.[12] He was confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 related pneumonia again in December 2021, and was eventually transferred to an intensive care unit at the nearby Taleghani Hospital.[13][14] After being placed into a medically induced coma on the first day of 2022, Abtin died from his illness on 8 January, at the age of 47.[15] Hadi Ghaemi, director of the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran called for accountability over Abtin's death, while tens of thousands of others responded on social media.[16][17][18]

    The killing of Baktash Abtinwas[19] condemned by the Director-General of the UNESCO Audrey Azoulay in a press-release published on the 1st of March.[20] According to global monitoring on the safety of journalists by the Observatory of Killed journalist, Abtinwas is the 1st  media professional killed in the Republic Islamic of Iran 2022.[21]

    Works

    Poems

    He has three volumes of poetry under his belt, all published in Persian. These include:

    • Black means night
    • My Heart
    • Of the Deep Wounds

    Filmography
    • The Solar Eclipse (2005, documentary)
    • The Sand Jar (2006, documentary)
    • The Sleep Penetration (2007, documentary)
    • Mika (2007)
    • The Near Dream (2008, documentary)
    • Park Mark (2009, documentary),
    • October 13, 1937 (2018, documentary)
    • Mory Wants a Wife (2013, documentary)
    • Fariborz Raisdana (2020)

    Awards and recognition

    In September 2021, Abtin was honored along with his co-authors Keyvan Bajan and Reza Khandan Mahabadi with the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.[22][23]

    A documentary film made by Mohammad Rasoulof was aired on televisions including Persian TVs abroad in his memory.[24]

    References
    1. "Baktash Abtin | IFFR". iffr.com.
    2. ""Guilty for Not Fearing": Inmates' Tribute to Baktash Abtin". IRANWIRE.
    3. "Iran 'aided and abetted' death of jailed writer Baktash Abtin". The National News.
    4. "Baktash Abtin, dissident Iranian poet, dies of Covid on prison furlough". The Guardian.
    5. "Iran: Detainees arrested at commemoration for murdered writers must be released". Amnesty International.
    6. "In Response to UN, Tehran Claims Baktash Abtin was 'Terrorism Supporter'". IRANWIRE.
    7. Mohammed Tawfeeq and Ramin Mostaghim. "Jailed Iranian poet Baktash Abtin dies due to Covid-19". CNN.
    8. International, P. E. N. (30 October 2020). "Iran: Writers Baktash Abtin, Reza Khandan-Mahabadi". PEN International. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
    9. Motamedi, Maziar. "Jailed Iranian writer Baktash Abtin dies after contracting COVID". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
    10. "PEN AMERICA MOURNS "UTTERLY PREVENTABLE DEATH" OF BAKTASH ABTIN". PEN AMERICA. 8 January 2022.
    11. "After poet dies of COVID in Iranian jail, activists blame Tehran". The Times of Israel.
    12. "Iran: PEN International calls for investigation over Baktash Abtin's tragic death and warns Reza Khandan is at risk". PEN International.
    13. "Iran: Writer Dies in Custody". Human Rights Watch.
    14. "Human rights defender Baktash Abtin transferred to hospital". Front Line Defenders. 14 December 2021.
    15. Motamedi, Maziar. "Jailed Iranian writer Baktash Abtin dies after contracting COVID". www.aljazeera.com.
    16. "Dissident Iranian writer Baktash Abtin dies in detention after contracting Covid-19". France 24. 8 January 2022.
    17. "DIRECTOR-GENERAL DEPLORES THE DEATH OF JOURNALIST, POET AND FILM MAKER BAKTASH ABTIN IN IRAN". States News Service.
    18. "RSF asks UN to investigate Iranian journalist Baktash Abtin's death". RSF.
    19. "RSF asks UN to investigate Iranian journalist Baktash Abtin's death". Reporter Without Border(Reporter sans frontières). 15 January 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
    20. "Director-General deplores the death of journalist, poet and film maker Baktash Abtin in Iran". UNESCO. 1 March 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
    21. "Observatory of Killed Journalists". UNESCO. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
    22. Motamedi, Maziar. "Jailed Iranian writer Baktash Abtin dies after contracting COVID". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
    23. "PEN AMERICA MOURNS "UTTERLY PREVENTABLE DEATH" OF BAKTASH ABTIN". PEN AMERICA. 8 January 2022.
    24. "Persian TVs Abroad Air TV Film On Final Days Of Jailed Poet". Iran Intl.
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