W.H. urges Iran to release imprisoned scholar

The White House on Tuesday condemned the Iran's decision to imprison scholar Kian Tajbakhsh, who was issued a 15-year sentence for his alleged role in protests during country's disputed elections. 

Tajbakhsh, who holds Iranian and American citizenship, received the longest prison term during a mass trial of over 100 opposition figures, the AP reported.

"We express our deepest regret and strong objection that the Islamic Republic of Iran has sentenced Iranian-American scholar Kian Tajbakhsh to 15 years in prison," said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs in a statement. "Mr. Tajbakhsh poses no threat to Iran or its national security."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and rock star Sting appealed for Tajbakhsh's release, to no avail.

Government security forces arrested Tajbakhsh, a social scientist and urban planner, in early July. He was the only American arrested in a wave of arrests and displays of violence that beat back massive protests against the results of June 12 election.

The opposition claims the vote was rigged in favor of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"Further, we are deeply concerned that Mr. Tajbakhsh may have been forced to stand trial in the revolutionary court without the benefit of his own legal counsel," added Gibbs adding that the right to a fair trial is contained in several international treaties to which Iran is a party.

"We urge Iran to release Mr. Tajbakhsh as soon as possible."