Hoder has been released from Iranian prison November 20, 2014 7:40 AM   Subscribe

Mefi's own Hoder has finally been released from prison. Hoder (Hossein Derakhshan) had been sentenced to 19 years on "cyber-dissidence" charges after his Persian-language blogging software became a popular tool for critiquing the government.
posted by sevenyearlurk to MetaFilter-Related at 7:40 AM (170 comments total) 143 users marked this as a favorite

Yay! And congrats on ending your seven year lurk!!!
posted by nevercalm at 7:46 AM on November 20, 2014 [6 favorites]


Oh my goodness this is fantastic news. I hope he decides (and is allowed) to return to Canada.
posted by workerant at 7:47 AM on November 20, 2014 [6 favorites]


Fantastic. I hope he is doing well after his ordeal.
posted by Rumple at 7:50 AM on November 20, 2014 [2 favorites]


WOW! Yay! Best wishes to him and his family!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 7:54 AM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


SQUEEE!
posted by Melismata at 7:54 AM on November 20, 2014


Oh, this is fantastic!
posted by rtha at 7:55 AM on November 20, 2014


YESSSSS!!!!!!
posted by cashman at 7:55 AM on November 20, 2014


Oh thank goodness. Best to him and his family.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:04 AM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]

Excellent!
C. Montgomery Burns
posted by y2karl at 8:06 AM on November 20, 2014 [3 favorites]


YAY!!!!!!!
posted by rorgy at 8:07 AM on November 20, 2014


This is wonderful news!

Now, please Free Amir.
posted by clavdivs at 8:07 AM on November 20, 2014 [2 favorites]


Looks like holder.com is still parked on godaddy. Any bets on how easy it will be for him to reclaim? He's still listed as the owner in the whois.

The lawyer I got to hold it before has left. I used to contact her every time it was set to expire and offer to pay the fees. She'd extend it for free.

Unfortunately, his other site had already been squatted before I was able to get involved.

I'm glad to hear this news. It'll be interesting to see if this changes any of his views. Not that you could ever get me to step foot in Iran, I sure as shit wouldn't go back if I were Hoder.
posted by cjorgensen at 8:08 AM on November 20, 2014 [26 favorites]


Fantastic!
posted by boo_radley at 8:09 AM on November 20, 2014


!
posted by ChuraChura at 8:17 AM on November 20, 2014


Great news!!!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 8:18 AM on November 20, 2014


Awesome!
posted by Asparagirl at 8:19 AM on November 20, 2014


Oh, happiness!
posted by angrycat at 8:20 AM on November 20, 2014


My very best wishes to him and his family. I cannot imagine the horrors he has been through, and hope his transition back to a free life is as smooth as possible.
posted by aught at 8:21 AM on November 20, 2014 [2 favorites]


This is wonderful news; thanks for posting it.
posted by languagehat at 8:23 AM on November 20, 2014


Holy shit this is fantastic. I really hope we hear from him soon. Behind the scenes, I was trying to help someone mount a campaign to help free him (which had to be on the downlow as to not piss off their gov't) and I'm not sure if their work had anything to do with it, but this is utterly fantastic news.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 8:24 AM on November 20, 2014 [55 favorites]


This is amazing news!
posted by ellieBOA at 8:31 AM on November 20, 2014


this is wonderful news!
posted by supermedusa at 8:31 AM on November 20, 2014


Just read this on Twitter. Fantastic news.
posted by chococat at 8:33 AM on November 20, 2014


Oh my god, yay! I selfishly hope he comes back to the site soon, too.
posted by Phire at 8:36 AM on November 20, 2014 [4 favorites]


Cheers. This is very, very good news. Here is to as gentle and straightforward a reintegration as can be had. Be well, Hoder!
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:37 AM on November 20, 2014 [2 favorites]


This is fantastic news.
posted by Mitheral at 8:40 AM on November 20, 2014


Hooray!
posted by the quidnunc kid at 8:44 AM on November 20, 2014


Crazy.
posted by chunking express at 8:47 AM on November 20, 2014


While this is fantastic news, Hoder has been through hell on earth.

Hoder: Welcome back. Please let us know if there is anything that we can do to help you recover from your ordeal. We are so glad that you are finally free.
posted by double block and bleed at 8:48 AM on November 20, 2014 [10 favorites]


Can't wait to see Hoder's name around here again! Great news.
posted by saulgoodman at 9:03 AM on November 20, 2014


Yay! That's fantastic news! Welcome back Hoder!
posted by LN at 9:08 AM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


Great news! I hope he is doing well.
posted by various at 9:11 AM on November 20, 2014


This is really great news. I hope his life returns to something normal quickly now.

Welcome back Hoder!
posted by hippybear at 9:15 AM on November 20, 2014


Good!
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 9:19 AM on November 20, 2014


^this
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:29 AM on November 20, 2014


Ahhh, freedom!
posted by Vaike at 9:30 AM on November 20, 2014


This is great news - welcome home Hoder.
posted by the man of twists and turns at 9:39 AM on November 20, 2014


Finally! This is wonderful news. Welcome back, Hoder.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:42 AM on November 20, 2014


This is awesome!
posted by Room 641-A at 9:54 AM on November 20, 2014


Wow, this is great to hear! Thank you for posting this news.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 10:10 AM on November 20, 2014


Awesome. Welcome back Hoder!
posted by Sophie1 at 10:16 AM on November 20, 2014


Fabulous news!

Augurs well for a new nuke deal too, maybe.
posted by jamjam at 10:18 AM on November 20, 2014


This is the best news I've heard since I can't remember when. I'll feel even better when he's on a plane out of there.
posted by vapidave at 10:19 AM on November 20, 2014


Yay!
posted by wenestvedt at 10:21 AM on November 20, 2014


Holy shit. That is awesome news.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 10:21 AM on November 20, 2014


I'm glad for this news! I can't even imagine how difficult that journey must have been. Be well, Hoder.
posted by heyho at 10:22 AM on November 20, 2014


Good luck and all blessings to you and your family, Hoder.
posted by Lynsey at 10:45 AM on November 20, 2014


What tremendously good news!! I am so glad and grateful he is free.
posted by msali at 10:46 AM on November 20, 2014


Welcome news & my best thoughts to Hoder.
posted by audi alteram partem at 10:47 AM on November 20, 2014


This is making me very emotional. What great news. Best wishes for a smooth transition.
posted by mykescipark at 10:54 AM on November 20, 2014


This is delightful news!
posted by Lemurrhea at 10:54 AM on November 20, 2014


Hoder hoder hoder? Hoder hoder hoder!*
posted by Pronoiac at 10:56 AM on November 20, 2014 [6 favorites]


* Hoder's been released? That's excellent news!
posted by Pronoiac at 10:56 AM on November 20, 2014


Wonderful news.
posted by tizzie at 10:59 AM on November 20, 2014


That is excellent news!! Hope he is doing well and we can see him around these parts again!
posted by Julnyes at 11:01 AM on November 20, 2014


This is fantastic. I was just thinking about him the other day.
posted by Ufez Jones at 11:12 AM on November 20, 2014


!!! This is such a relief!

I hope he is on his way back to Canada ASAP, and do selfishly hope he'll return here.
posted by batmonkey at 11:20 AM on November 20, 2014 [2 favorites]


I'm so happy!! I can't believe it's been seven years. His work was outstanding and I have been following this and was disappointed every time my search showed that he was still imprisoned. I hope he is willing to resume writing and being in the public eye again.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 11:33 AM on November 20, 2014


I'm so glad he has been released.

I called my MP's office once, but it just felt so fucking useless. I should have done more.
posted by ODiV at 11:34 AM on November 20, 2014


I hope he gets home quickly, and can rest and recover well.

I am so so glad he has been released.
posted by ocherdraco at 11:40 AM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


Great news!
posted by SisterHavana at 11:46 AM on November 20, 2014


Woot.
posted by Aizkolari at 11:49 AM on November 20, 2014


Oh thank God.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:49 AM on November 20, 2014


Great!
posted by medusa at 11:56 AM on November 20, 2014


Thank goodness he is free.
posted by Cranberry at 11:59 AM on November 20, 2014


Wow, what incredibly good news! All the best to you, Hoder, on your release and recovery.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:16 PM on November 20, 2014


I called my MP's office once, but it just felt so fucking useless. I should have done more.

As an American I felt like anything I did might be counter-productive.
posted by cjorgensen at 12:17 PM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


From his Google+ page:

Shared publicly - 5:36 AM

الهي، قو علي خدمتك جوارحي، واشدد علي العزيمه جوانحي ، و هب لي الجد في خشيتك، والدوام في الاتصال بخدمتك.

پس از اينكه مرخصي دو هفته ايم تمديد نشد و دستور دادند كه به زندان برگردم، ساعت ٦ عصر از قرنطينه به اندرزگاه ٨ اوين رسيده بودم و تازه داشتم با همه سلام و عليك ميكردم كه ابلاغ شد كه باقيمانده حبسم مورد عفو مقام معظم رهبري قرار گرفته است. آزاد شدم، پس از شش سال. خدايا شكرت. بسيار ممنون از حضرت آيت الله خامنه اي. ممنون از همه ياوران و دعاگويان گمنام روزهاي سخت، بخصوص برادرم شهاب اسفندياري. و شرمنده و ممنون و مديون همسرم، پدرم، و مادرم . خواهرم و برادرم. تا آخر عمرم.

Anyone want to take a better crack at a translation than google?
posted by cjorgensen at 12:29 PM on November 20, 2014 [2 favorites]


Great news!
posted by rocket88 at 12:30 PM on November 20, 2014


Awesome. So glad to hear this.
posted by Drinky Die at 12:40 PM on November 20, 2014


Oh, so glad to see this news! Welcome, welcome, welcome, Hoder!! And thanks so much for all you tried to do here, mathowie.
posted by bearwife at 12:55 PM on November 20, 2014


Saw this on the BBC, came straight here for the celebration thread. Great news!
posted by Pink Frost at 12:56 PM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


They probably didn't let him watch Game of Thrones in the joint. I think it would be fitting if we could all make sure he is back safe with his loved ones before we break the news.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 1:03 PM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


Very good news.
posted by adamvasco at 1:11 PM on November 20, 2014


YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 1:21 PM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


Oh yay, this is so great! Every time that damned Game of Thrones meme crops up I do a double-take, hoping that it's this news. And now it is!
posted by mumkin at 1:24 PM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


At last - some good news. Hope he's ok, and with friends and has support right now.
posted by marienbad at 1:30 PM on November 20, 2014


This is wonderful news. Truly wonderful.
posted by palomar at 1:32 PM on November 20, 2014


I am so glad to hear this.
posted by xarnop at 2:08 PM on November 20, 2014


That is great news.
posted by Mister_A at 2:12 PM on November 20, 2014


IT'S A QUONSMAS MIRACLE!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 2:38 PM on November 20, 2014 [21 favorites]


This is the best.
posted by clearlydemon at 2:44 PM on November 20, 2014


Also, I hope he can get hoder.com back. That was a nasty business IIRC.
posted by Rumple at 2:47 PM on November 20, 2014


What does he need now?
posted by goofyfoot at 3:04 PM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


> Anyone want to take a better crack at a translation than google?

Wow, Google really mangles that
God, Gu Ali Jawarha serve you, and I stress the determination Joinha, and Grant me seriously in Khchitk, and always contact your service.

پs BL Anich licensors de Hvth Lyme and sought to extend the Constitution Dadnd by Ke Zindan Brگrdm, Saat 6 BL Qrntinh by Andersگah 8 Owen Rsidh Budm and Taza Dachtm Ba energetic peace and inform you Maikardm Ke Ke tighten Bagamande Hbasm pardon serves as a resource most Rahbari گrvath decision era AST. Azad Shidm, پs BL AA Sal. Thank Khaddaya. Bsear Memnon BL attended Ayatollah Khamenei any. Iauran BL main concern of Memnon and Daaگoyan گmnam Roseaa Scht, regarding Braderm Shihab Esfandiari. And Chermendh and Memnon and the mortgagor Hemsrm, پderm, and Maderm. Juaherm and Braderm. Ta another Ammerm.
Babelfish did a lot better:
My God, Gu to serve you my organs, I stress the determination of my ribs, and my grandfather in HAB she feared you, and always in contact service. çò de licensors inka hafteh IM extension sought and Constitution did all their efforts by prison برگردم Ke, from 6 era BL kernot
Still, far from good.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:06 PM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


Wow. This is amazing!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 3:08 PM on November 20, 2014


Hooray!
posted by IndigoRain at 3:36 PM on November 20, 2014


Wow, Google really mangles that

Google Translate does a better job if you actually specify the right language. In this case, Farsi (or Persian, as Google calls it):
Divine Bodily Khdmtk A. Swan, A. Vashdd Alzymh Jvanhy, and para-Lee Faye Khshytk Al Jadi, Valdvam Bkhdmtk Fi telephony.

We have not renewed after two weeks off and ordered to return to prison, at 6 pm in the quarantine ward of Evin I was 8 and I was with all hi and I Aliyak, Khoshab the notification of the Supreme Leader the remaining pardoned am still enduring it is. I was released after six years. Thank your God. Very grateful to the Ayatollah Khamenei. Thank you to all the helpers and anonymous Dagvyan hard days, especially my brother Shahab-FM. And ashamed and grateful and indebted to my wife, my father and my mother. My sister and brother. The rest of my life.
posted by ocherdraco at 4:02 PM on November 20, 2014 [8 favorites]


This seems to be the same statement that is translated far better in the article from the Toronto Star.
posted by ocherdraco at 4:04 PM on November 20, 2014


So good to hear. Welcome back.
posted by tangerine at 4:04 PM on November 20, 2014


Good news. I was just on my way over to post this.
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:20 PM on November 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


This is fantastic news! So happy for hoder and his family.
posted by arcticseal at 4:40 PM on November 20, 2014


That's unspeakably wonderful.

I think I'm going to go cry a little now.
posted by zennie at 4:44 PM on November 20, 2014


Oh, wow. I am so pleased to hear this.

Wishing hoder and family all the best.
posted by jaruwaan at 4:59 PM on November 20, 2014


!
posted by Michele in California at 5:21 PM on November 20, 2014


Excellent!
posted by OmieWise at 5:34 PM on November 20, 2014


In this case, Farsi (or Persian, as Google calls it)

Many speakers outside Iran tend to get a bit annoyed if you call their language Farsi in English, because that's strongly associated with Iran, so Persian is often used for the family that consists of Iranian, Afghan, and Tajiki Persian (and a few others), while Farsi is used for the dialect used in Iran. Of course, others argue that the differences are minor enough that it should always be Persian in English since that's what it has always been called in English. Yet others argue that Farsi is the correct name also in English, since that's what it's called by native speakers. Yet others argue that the latter is a strange argument, since nobody claims that German should be Deutsch in English just because that's what it's called in Germany. And so on...
posted by effbot at 5:49 PM on November 20, 2014 [25 favorites]


Yay!
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 5:50 PM on November 20, 2014


Excellent news!
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:56 PM on November 20, 2014


I've periodically Googled to see if there were updates to this, and have always been sad to see that he was not yet out. Today is a great day.
posted by sockermom at 6:05 PM on November 20, 2014


Whoop whoop
posted by umbú at 6:41 PM on November 20, 2014


My translation will be very paraphrased as I am not fully literate in farsi, but I'll do my best:

After my temporary release from prison I was ordered to return to Evin prison at 6PM to the quarantine ward. I had only just arrived and was saying hello to everyone when it was ordered that I had been pardoned. I am freed, after six years. Thank god. I'm very thankful to god's messenger Khamenei. Thanks to everyone looking out for me during these difficult days, especially my brother and sister. I am ashamed and will be thankful and indebted to my wife, father, and mother until the end of my life.

Sorry for any mistakes. I know someone here must read farsi better than me, where are you?
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 7:02 PM on November 20, 2014 [33 favorites]


Whew.
posted by julen at 7:12 PM on November 20, 2014


I've followed this hopefully all along and am simply delighted by this news. Yay.
posted by spitbull at 7:14 PM on November 20, 2014


This is the best MeTa post in a very very very long time.
posted by tzikeh at 7:18 PM on November 20, 2014 [16 favorites]


BuddhaInABucket: maybe "humbly grateful" rather than "ashamed"?
posted by Joe in Australia at 7:54 PM on November 20, 2014


Fantastic news, welcome back hoder, welcome back welcome back welcome baaaaack.
posted by vrakatar at 8:00 PM on November 20, 2014 [2 favorites]


Joe in Australia: Unfortunately it's actually 'ashamed.' It's unlikely he wrote that statement himself- it would be typical if he were handed a statement to read that shows how generous and lenient the regime is to pardon someone guilty of the crime he committed.

Anyway, those are minor details- after everything else he must have been through in Evin Prison, a propaganda statement on his way out is the least of it.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 8:14 PM on November 20, 2014 [9 favorites]


Great day!
posted by Wolof at 8:17 PM on November 20, 2014


Vrakatar, I couldn't resist extending your comment. Apologies to...well, just about everybody.
___
Welcome back,
You dreamed of your ticket out.

Welcome back,
To that same old site where you hung about.

Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But the memes have remained and they're flung around.

Who'd have thought we'd see ya (Who'd have thought we'd see ya)
Back here when they freed ya (Back here when they freed ya)

Detainees count a lot cause the site was distraught, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 8:23 PM on November 20, 2014 [3 favorites]


Great news!
posted by graventy at 9:03 PM on November 20, 2014


Great news.
posted by hawthorne at 9:26 PM on November 20, 2014


Holy cats!
posted by MissySedai at 9:28 PM on November 20, 2014


Been feeling like all the news is bad lately, so I was excited to read this!

I know how much Hoder's presence means to Mefi and I hope that he is well.
posted by ferret branca at 9:40 PM on November 20, 2014


What a delightful surprise. Hoder, you have been missed, but I'll completely understand if the first thing you want to do is spend time with your family.

I can't but connect this to President Rouhani's very pro-internet statements (and Rouhani has even joined two social networks that are not, as are Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, banned in Iran). But given the great reluctance of the clerical regime to expanded openness, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Hoder remains offline -- at least until he chooses to return to Canada. His release may come with restrictions, explicit or implicit. It's probably too optimistic to assume he'll simply resume his evangelical efforts as if nothing happened.
posted by dhartung at 10:11 PM on November 20, 2014 [3 favorites]


This is great news.
posted by Dip Flash at 11:03 PM on November 20, 2014


Wow, finally! This is excellent news!
posted by homunculus at 11:09 PM on November 20, 2014




Just saw that on Twitter and came straight here. Great news. Wishing you always safe and well with your loved ones now, Hoder.
posted by penguin pie at 1:54 AM on November 21, 2014


This is fantastic news. Hooray!
posted by daisyk at 2:09 AM on November 21, 2014


Hooray! Congratulations to hoder and his family!
posted by Pope Guilty at 2:29 AM on November 21, 2014


This is wonderful, wonderful news.

BuddhaInABucket: "I am ashamed and will be thankful and indebted to my wife, father, and mother until the end of my life. "

شرمنده is literally "ashamed" but I think it's a taarof/etiquette thing, as in "I'm embarassed by how good they've been to me, I don't deserve it". I'm not native but that's how I'm reading it.
posted by Gordafarin at 4:03 AM on November 21, 2014 [8 favorites]


Totally taarof-ing. For those who don't know, Iranian custom is to be effusively humble to others and the self-abasement/formal apology (taarof) can go on for a while. Thankfully, in order to save time Iranians have some short cuts, for instance if you bump someone you say "cheshm" which is sort of a contraction for "my eyes" which is short for "ghadam ru cheshm" which means essentially "step on my eyes" which is in turn a short hand way of saying something like "I bow down so low to your exhaulted self so that you, sire, my walk over my unworthy face..." Anyway, you can see why they came up with the short hand otherwise everyone would be flinging themselves on the ground all the time groveling for forgiveness for bumping somebody in the market and nothing would ever get done.

So, back on topic, Hoder is just saying thank you for the support and that he's humbled by the effort in a mildly Iranian way.
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 7:11 AM on November 21, 2014 [51 favorites]


This is great to hear. In a world afflicted with injustices great and petty, it is good to hear something going right once in a while.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:35 AM on November 21, 2014 [1 favorite]


Stoically borne, sir. Well done you.
posted by flabdablet at 8:06 AM on November 21, 2014


Yay! Welcome back.
posted by halifix at 8:22 AM on November 21, 2014


Thanks for the clarifications, Gordafarin and The 10th Regiment Of Foot. I'm American-born and raised and am constantly stepping on toes because of how poorly I taarof. دست تون درد نکنه
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 8:22 AM on November 21, 2014 [2 favorites]


I am very, very glad Hoder is free, but at the same time am terribly grieved about the six years of his life that were stolen from him.
posted by orange swan at 8:56 AM on November 21, 2014 [25 favorites]


Wow, this is truly a thing I will be thankful about this Thanksgiving. That's excellent news!

Congratulations on your release, Hoder - wishing you a happy, trouble-free life with your family.
posted by madamjujujive at 9:35 AM on November 21, 2014


Omg! Best MetaTalk refresh in YEARS.


This is such great news!
posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 11:46 AM on November 21, 2014


Hoder hoder hoder? Hoder hoder hoder!*

* Hoder's been released? That's excellent news!

posted by Pronoiac

For the record... Hoder is NOT Hodor.
posted by hippybear at 1:10 PM on November 21, 2014 [7 favorites]


Great news, Hoder. Wishing you the best.
posted by mynameisluka at 1:35 PM on November 21, 2014


Good news!
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:24 PM on November 21, 2014


How did this post get past the queue? Just kidding. Happy you're free! Can't wait to buy the book.
posted by oceanjesse at 4:11 PM on November 21, 2014


Wonderful news!
posted by Joey Michaels at 6:02 PM on November 21, 2014


YESSSSSSS...........
posted by selfmedicating at 7:32 PM on November 21, 2014


Happy happy happy!
posted by JHarris at 8:47 PM on November 21, 2014


Oh thank God. What amazing news.
posted by Jubey at 9:38 PM on November 21, 2014


Wonderful news. I cannot imagine how much he has to do and take in and catch up on, I hope he has all the support he needs.
posted by harriet vane at 6:48 AM on November 22, 2014


What wonderful news! I hope that your path forward is as good and safe and happy as it possibly can be, Hoder!
posted by wiskunde at 8:30 AM on November 22, 2014


Holder needs a hug.
posted by ardgedee at 8:51 AM on November 22, 2014 [2 favorites]


Hoder!
posted by OHenryPacey at 1:49 PM on November 22, 2014 [1 favorite]


Great news!
posted by trip and a half at 1:57 PM on November 22, 2014


Stay free.
posted by buzzman at 10:40 PM on November 22, 2014


Fantastic news!
posted by carter at 11:06 PM on November 22, 2014 [1 favorite]


Could somebody please update the sidebar on the main page with this post?

(I also am glad to learn Hoder is out.)
posted by bukvich at 6:20 AM on November 23, 2014 [4 favorites]


So glad to see this - hope he isn't under too much duress about what he can see and write. At least he's out!
posted by leslies at 11:36 AM on November 23, 2014


YES! This is excellent news. I am so happy for him and his poor family (especially his wife!) I hope their reunion is smooth and unimpeded and exactly as awesome as it should be!!!
posted by WidgetAlley at 1:43 PM on November 23, 2014 [1 favorite]


Yay!
posted by klausness at 2:15 PM on November 23, 2014


I just heard the news. How amazing! I'm so happy and relieved for Hoder and his family.
posted by swerve at 6:22 PM on November 23, 2014


Fantastic news! Thanks for the update.
posted by Wrinkled Stumpskin at 1:14 AM on November 24, 2014


Wonderful news.
posted by ambrosia at 12:49 PM on November 24, 2014


How wonderful!!
posted by epj at 12:52 PM on November 24, 2014


Huzzah!

\o/
posted by PROD_TPSL at 6:02 PM on November 24, 2014


Very happy, wonderful news!
posted by scottymac at 10:06 PM on November 24, 2014


Oh, this is excellent news!!
posted by sarcasticah at 10:08 PM on November 24, 2014


This is really wonderful to hear!!
posted by dryad at 7:04 AM on November 25, 2014


Any new updates? He in an English/French speaking country yet?
posted by cjorgensen at 5:43 PM on November 25, 2014


He posted to his google plus account again- nothing informative about his situation, just a paragraph of gushing adoration for his wife.
posted by BuddhaInABucket at 6:54 PM on November 25, 2014 [6 favorites]


This is good.
posted by quin at 12:48 PM on November 27, 2014


About damn time.

Best to Hoder and his family.
posted by BlueHorse at 1:46 PM on November 27, 2014


This is the best thing.
posted by colt45 at 4:21 PM on November 27, 2014


He has been slightly indisposed to visit here lately. I'm not sure why.
posted by Drinky Die at 4:02 PM on November 28, 2014 [9 favorites]


I think he probably wants more MLP FPPs.
posted by Drinky Die at 4:02 PM on November 28, 2014 [1 favorite]


But is there?

Yes. He's a member.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:02 PM on November 28, 2014 [3 favorites]


We sometimes call Steve Wozniak "Metafilter's own" even though he's commented here once. Adam Savage is a well-known member who posts rarely (although it seems he does lurk a bit). All you have to have is a membership, so conversely, one shouldn't expect phrases like "Metafilter's own" to mean that much. I have accounts on hundreds of websites, any of them could consider me part of their userbase, but most of them I've forgotten I'm even a member of.

hoder, however, if he's still in Iran, has a damn good reason to stay away from blogging in a public fashion. If there's anyone on this site who deserves a sock puppet, it's probably him.
posted by JHarris at 7:56 PM on November 28, 2014 [2 favorites]


Man, he deserves a sock MUPPET.

It's the lovable furry step up from a puppet, for our most beloved commenters in need of secret identities.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 8:26 PM on November 28, 2014 [2 favorites]


But seriously, is he even on metafilter anymore? Just seems like one cause thats been taken up (out of the millions that exist) because there is some metafilter connection. But is there?

Is this a joke? He's been in prison for like 6 years and out for less than a month, and as far as anyone knows he's still in Iran. Of course he's not regularly posting or commenting any more. But before that he was a reasonably prolific poster and long-time member -- definitely a username that I knew in the mid-aughts and a good source of info on Iran (I see that I actually joined the same week as him). His account is linked in the post if you want to see.
posted by advil at 2:22 PM on November 29, 2014 [19 favorites]


I will add that whenever he is in a position to return to participation in something like MetaFilter, he is probably more likely to do so if he sees that there was a thread celebrating his release from prison and warmly welcoming him back.

Even though his reason for departure had nothing to do with drama here, it can feel weird to pop back in someplace you haven't been in a long time and it's different, and you are different and you don't know if folks remember you and all that. I hope he does see this, sees that folks remember him and think of positively of him and are sympathetic to what he has been through and it helps him, in some small way, to readjust to life on the outside again.
posted by Michele in California at 3:07 PM on November 29, 2014 [2 favorites]


I was just thinking of him last night when talking to a friend in Palestine. This is fantastic news. Hoder, if you see this, please know that we never forgot, and have held a lit candle in our hearts for all this time.
posted by dejah420 at 2:02 PM on November 30, 2014 [4 favorites]


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