English Media Exclusive: Dissent Ahmad Batebi In Hiding!

Assreemrooz.com is reporting that one of Iran's most famous dissidents is in hiding (this report has been confirmed by the Iranian Student Movement).

Ahmad Batebi became internationally known when the Economist published a photo of him waving the bloody t-shirt of a brutalized peer, following the 1999 student demonstrations.

The photo was published worldwide (including this blog) and as a result Ahmad was arrested, sentenced to death (later reduced to a fifteen year sentence). He has spent the last six years in Iran's most infamous Evin Prison.

Batebi has suffered in prison. His lungs have deteriorated, and he has lost some eyesight and hearing as a result of prison beatings. He has been released in the past for medical furloughs.

It was reported that on a recent furlough from prison he married and went into hiding.

It is reported that said "I am not going back... They can come and find me!"

UPDATE: We just received an email from a group called the Committee to save Ahmad Batebi. The email appeared to deny the report and referred us to their website. The website said they are investigating the report, but did not deny it. I have asked for clarification. I will post any developments.