Parvin Darabi-Help an Iranian Woman in Prison
August 27, 2002
Dr. Homa Darabi Foundation (DHDF)
PO Box 11049,
Truckee, CA 96162-1049
Dear Iranian friends,
A while ago I wrote you about an Iranian woman in Chowchilla women prison in California. Here is some information about her.
Her name is Farzaneh Kojasteh, she is 26 years old. Her mother left her when she was 3 years old and she was raised by her father. In 1991 she came to California on a visitor visa from Germany where she had applied for asylum, before her case was completed. As a result she lost her asylum case in Germany. Two years ago her father passed away and left her alone here in Los Angeles.
She used another person's name and identity to rent an apartment and get her utility connected. However, she did pay for all the bills. But was convicted on identity theft charges anyway. She also was attending Santa Monica City College.
She may have acted illegally in this manner because of fear of being picked up and deported by the immigration. I have not met with her yet and that is what I think.
She needs one immigration attorney to help her get legal status and another attorney to help her out of jail with sentence modification.
We need money for attorney fees and to get her started again in a right direction. This may cost around $10,000.
We are asking you to help as much as you can to raise this amount to help this young woman. You can send your checks to Dr. Homa Darabi Foundation (DHDF), PO Box 11049, Truckee, CA 96162-1049 to take advantage of our tax deductible status.
I will report as soon as I have more information.
Parvin Darabi
President, DHDF