( CNN ) -- A prominent Iranian literary translator is missing , just weeks after being released from Tehran 's notorious Evin Prison , a source close to him said Monday . The individual said Mohammad Soleimani Nia , 40 , has n't been seen since he responded to a call from authorities last Wednesday to retrieve personal belongings that had been confiscated . He was to pick up items , including his driver 's license , computer and passport at an office near Evin Prison . The source gave this chronology of events leading up to his disappearance : . -- In late November 2011 , Soleimani Nia was questioned by security and intelligence officers . Friends and family are n't sure of the motive behind that questioning , because phones are monitored in Iran and Soleimani Nia was tight-lipped about the experience , which resulted in his being barred from leaving the country . -- On January 10 , officials called him to the Revolutionary Court . The court hears cases of smuggling , blaspheming , inciting violence or attempting the overthrow of the Iranian government . -- After arriving at court , Soleimani Nia was accompanied by security guards to the home he shares with his parents in Karaj , outside Tehran . The guards searched the house , seizing electronic devices and documents , and prohibited Soleimani Nia from speaking to his parents . -- Soleimani Nia was then detained on unknown charges , then released on bail in May . He was freed after agreeing to suspend a hunger strike after 28 days . During part of that time , he reportedly was held in solitary confinement in Evin Prison , notorious for its harsh conditions . This , the next chapter in Soleimani Nia 's on going saga , has many people close to him deeply concerned . `` We do n't even know if he made it ( to the office near Evin Prison ) or if he was just kidnapped as soon as he left the house , '' the source said . `` This is very disturbing . To this point , no authorities have taken responsibility regarding this and we do n't know where he is . '' Associates have previously described Soleimani Nia as being physically delicate . Firoozeh Dumas , an Iranian-American author whose best-selling book `` Funny in Farsi '' Soleimani Nia translated for the Iranian audience , described her friend as `` a very gentle soul '' and `` a model citizen , who loves his country , his family and culture . '' `` Mohammad Soleimani Nia is also the most nonpolitical person I have ever met , '' Dumas said . `` He translated 'Funny in Farsi ' simply because he wanted to share with his fellow Iranians a book that he had enjoyed in English , '' she said . Soleimani Nia also is considered a tech pioneer by his peers ; he is credited for launching an Iranian social networking website comparable to LinkedIn called U24 , a portal for Iranian professionals seeking jobs . `` Given the high unemployment rate , he should be celebrated for his desire to help the Iranian economy . If he lived in America , he would be called a nerd . In Iran , he 's a prisoner , '' Dumas said . CNN tried calling the spokesman for the Iranian foreign minister but has yet to receive an official response regarding Soleimani Nia 's case .
Mohammed Soleimani Nia has n't been seen since Wednesday , a source says . Comment: Earlier this year , Soleimani Nia was detained on unknown charges . He was held at Iran 's notorious Evin Prison , and released in May .