His father Bagher Batebi has also launched an appeal for the international public opinion demanding the release of his son which has been published by Amnesty International.
Batebi was arrested in July 1999 after he became a symbol of the students’ movement following the publication on the British-based Economist magazine’s front page of a picture of him holding the bloodied shirt of a fellow student killed by police at a student rally.
His wife Sommayah Batinat was arrested last month after disclosing to the international media, including Adnkronos International (AKI), that her husband was still in detention despite his poor health. Plainclothes officials reportedly brought the woman to an undisclosed location
Batebi’s parents have since Thursday morning also started a sit-in protest at Tehran’s Danesjoo park where they say they will remain until their son is freed.
"For the past eight years I have been watching the famous picture of my son while waiting for his release and I have no intention to sit still," said Bagher Batebi in his appeal. "I ask the entire world to help us free Ahmad before he is handed back to us inside a coffin."