Abbas Amir-Entezam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abbas Amir-Entezam
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Amir-Entezam in 1979
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| Deputy Prime Minister of Iran for Public Relations and Administration | |
| In office 13 February 1979 – August 1979 |
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| Prime Minister | Mehdi Bazargan |
| Succeeded by | Sadeq Tabatabaei |
| Ambassador to Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland | |
| In office August 1979 – 19 December 1979 |
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| Prime Minister | Mehdi Bazargan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 August 1932 Tehran, Iran |
| Died | 12 July 2018 (aged 85) Tehran, Iran |
| Political party | Freedom Movement of Iran National Front of Iran |
| Spouse | Elaheh Amir-Entezam |
| Children | 3 |
| Website | Official website: http://iran-amirentezam.com/ |
Abbas Amir-Entezam (Persian: عباس امیرانتظام, August 18, 1932 – July 12, 2018) was an important Iranian politician. He served as a deputy prime minister in Iran's first government after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. In 1981, he was accused of serious charges and became a political prisoner. Many believed these charges were unfair. He was known as one of the longest-held political prisoners in Iran. He spent more than 38 years in prison.
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Early Life and Education
Abbas Amir-Entezam was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1932. His family was middle-class. He studied electro-mechanical engineering at the University of Tehran. He finished his studies there in 1955.
In 1956, Entezam left Iran to study in Paris, France. Later, he moved to the United States. He completed more studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
Political Career
After finishing his education, Entezam stayed in the U.S. for a while. He worked as a business owner. Around 1970, he returned to Iran to be with his mother. Because of his earlier political activities, he was not allowed to go back to the U.S.
He stayed in Iran, got married, and started a family. He also began a business with his friend, Mehdi Bazargan. In 1978, Bazargan chose him to lead the political office of the Freedom Movement of Iran.
In 1979, the Shah of Iran was overthrown by the Iranian Revolution. Ayatollah Khomeini, a key leader of the revolution, appointed Bazargan as prime minister. Bazargan then asked Entezam to be the deputy prime minister. He also became the official spokesperson for the new government.
While serving as deputy prime minister, Entezam supported the retirement of many high-ranking army officers. He also spoke out against the Assembly of Experts. This group was creating a new constitution. Entezam believed this new constitution would make democratic groups less powerful than religious leaders. Because of his views, he faced criticism. In August 1979, Bazargan appointed Entezam as Iran's ambassador to Denmark.
Imprisonment and Later Life
In December 1979, Iranian officials asked Entezam to return to Tehran. He was serving as ambassador to Sweden at the time. Even though he was warned about a possible plan against him, he returned to Iran.
When he arrived in Tehran, he was arrested. He was accused of serious charges based on documents found after the Iran hostage crisis. He was then sent to prison. He was released in 1998, but he was arrested again less than three months later. This happened after he gave an interview to a newspaper.
During his time in prison, Entezam faced many difficulties. He spent a long time in solitary confinement. He also suffered from various health problems. These included permanent ear damage and spinal issues. He was a political prisoner for over 38 years.
Death
Abbas Amir-Entezam died in Tehran on July 12, 2018. He passed away from a heart attack. He was buried the next day in the Behesht e Zahra cemetery.
Awards and Honors
- Bruno Kreisky Prize (1998)
- Jan Karski Award for Moral Courage (2003)
See also
- Human rights in Iran
