28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Ali Farahbakhsh, a journalist, was granted an early conditional release after spending 11 months in prison; originally he was convicted of “espionage” and “receiving money from foreigners” in connection with his attendance at a media conference in Thailand ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23351]

"Ali Farahbakhsh, a journalist, was granted an early conditional release in October after 11 months in detention. He was convicted of “espionage” and “receiving money from foreigners” in connection with his attendance at a media conference in Thailand."

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist Mohammed Hassan Fallahiya sentenced to 3 years in prison for writing critical articles against the government ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23407]

"In April, journalist Mohammad Hassan Fallahiya was sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour for writing articles critical of the government and for allegedly contacting opposition groups based outside Iran. He was detained in November 2006 and denied access to a lawyer throughout the judicial process. His family said the Evin Prison authorities refused to allow them to take him medicines required to treat heart and blood disorders, endangering his life."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

During the year 2007, numerous publishers, editors and journalists (including those working on Internet sites) were detained, jailed, tortured, and fined, or they were prohibited from publishing their work; the government imposed restrictions on press outlets and banned or blocked critical publications ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22876]

"[...] In its May report, Freedom House called the press climate in the country "not free," noting several newspaper closures and the arrests and intimidation of journalists. The head of the Iranian Journalists Guild Association said that during the Iranian year 1385 (March 2006-2007) the Press Supervisory Board banned more than 20 publications. He called the year a "bad period for the press" and characterized the press environment as "negative and oppressive." Since Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad became president in 2005, approximately 42 publications were suspended and 25 printing licenses revoked. In a September open letter, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) accused President Ahmadi-Nejad of an "appalling record of press freedom violations." According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), there were at least 12 journalists imprisoned in the country during the year. RSF reported on September 26 that since September 2006, 73 journalists were arrested and at least 20 media outlets were censored.

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, on February 27, authorities arrested French-Iranian filmmaker Mehrnoushe Solouki for "intent to commit propaganda against the regime" after she discovered a mass grave outside Tehran in the course of her research on the burial rites of some religious minorities. After one month in Evin Prison, she was released on bail but at year's end was not allowed to leave the country.

On March 26, authorities sentenced economic journalist Ali Farahbakhsh, who wrote for the daily Sarmayeh and the banned reformist dailies Yas-e-now and Shargh, to three years and three months in prison, reportedly on charges of espionage and "stealing from foreigners." The sentence was later reduced to 11 months. In November 2006 security officials arrested Farahbakhsh upon his return from a civil society conference in Thailand. The charges against him are reportedly related to his acceptance of $2,300 for participating in the conference, which was intended to cover his travel expenses. Farahbakhsh remained in Evin Prison for several months despite a letter from Judiciary Chief Shahrudi ordering his release on bail. On October 9, authorities reportedly conditionally released him, pending an appeal hearing. According to AI, the Association of Iranian Journalists issued an open letter signed by 247 of its members calling attention to flaws in the administration of justice in Farahbakhsh's case.

In late March the Press Supervisory Board revoked the license of bilingual Kurdish and Persian weekly Payam-e-Kurdistan. It was not clear why the license was revoked. On April 12, Tehran University law professor and former Majles deputy from Shiraz Ghassem Sholeh Sadi told an international press outlet in an interview that he had been sentenced to 18 months in prison. The sentence is reportedly in connection with an open letter Sholeh Sadi wrote to the supreme leader in 2002, criticizing some of the actions and policies of the government and its leaders. It was not clear whether he was detained.

On May 28, security forces arrested journalist Said Matinpour of Azeri-language weekly Yarpagh and detained him in Evin Prison. According to RSF, there have been no charges filed against him, and he has not been permitted contact with his family or lawyer.

On July 1, Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand was reportedly arrested by plainclothes security forces. It was not clear where he was being detained or whether he was permitted contact with his family or legal counsel. Kabudvand, who was also secretary of the Kurdistan Organization for the Defense of Human Rights, wrote for the now-defunct weekly Payam Mardom Kordestan. In September 2006 authorities sentenced him to one year in prison on charges of "inciting the population to rebel against the central state" but according to AI, his current detention was reportedly unconnected to this prison sentence.

On July 3, the general prosecutor ordered the daily Ham-Mihan closed. On May 13, authorities permitted the publication to reopen after being closed since 2000; it published for only 42 days before being closed again.

On July 11, the government closed the wire service Iranian Labor News Agency, reportedly as a result of its reporting on labor strikes in parts of the country.

On July 16, a revolutionary court in the northwestern city of Marivan sentenced Kurdish journalists Adnan Hassanpour and Abdolvahed "Hiva" Boutimar to death on charges of espionage and "acting against national security." According to RSF, the trials were not public and their lawyers were not permitted to attend. Hassanpour's interviews with foreign media were reportedly cited by the prosecution. According to December domestic press reports, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for Hassanpour but overturned the verdict for Boutimar.

On July 31, security forces arrested journalist Farshad Ghorbanpour and detained him in Evin Prison. He was reportedly charged with "spreading lies against the system" and "giving news to Web sites outside the country." He was released on bail on August 27. Authorities reportedly also arrested journalist Masoud Bastani and released him one day later. Bastani was reportedly in Evin Prison for several months in 2005 and 2006.

On August 4, security forces arrested journalist Soheil Asefi and detained him in Evin Prison where he was held in solitary confinement. He was reportedly charged with "publishing false news likely to disturb public opinion." On October 6, authorities released Asefi on bail of $107,000 (1 billion rials).

On August 6, the general prosecutor ordered to close the last major reformist daily Shargh. The ban placed on Shargh in September 2006 was lifted on May 14, but the paper was operational for less than three months before being closed again. The government reportedly closed the newspaper in response to a published interview with a writer accused of being a homosexual activist.

On August 11, the government closed the conservative news Web site Baztab, although the site continued to operate outside of the country. The government also reportedly filtered the Web site earlier in the year. At year's end, the site was reportedly operating inside the country. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Jelveh Javaheri was detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison between 1 December 2007 and 2 January 2008 in connection with articles she posted on the Internet; she was released on bail, but may face prosecution in the future ("Women's rights defenders defy repression. Case sheet: Jelveh Javaheri [MDE 13/030/2008]") [ID 23616]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Maryam Hosseinkhah, a journalist and women’s rights defender, was detained in Evin Prison, Tehran; she was released on bail and accused in connection with articles posted on websites ("Women's rights defenders defy repression. Case sheet: Maryam Hosseinkhah [MDE 13/029/2008]") [ID 23618]

Document(s): Open document

26.02.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Website editor arbitrarily arrested in crackdown on Internet ("Website editor arrested in crackdown on Internet two weeks before parliamentary elections") [ID 23610]

Document(s): Open document

30.01.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Commission bans leading feminist magazine ("Commission bans leading feminist magazine") [ID 22508]

Document(s): Open document

21.01.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist and women’s rights defender, Jelveh Javaheri, was released from Evin prison ; she was reportedly accused of “disturbing public opinion”, “propaganda against the system” and “publication of lies” in connection with articles posted on the Internet ("Further information on Urgent Action 321/07 (MDE 13/140/2007, 3 December 2007) [MDE 13/014/2008]") [ID 23594]

Document(s): Open document

05.01.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

Tehran: The Guardian's correspondent, Robert Tait, has been expelled without explanation after nearly three years of reporting from the country ("Guardian's Tehran correspondent expelled without explanation") [ID 22248]

Document(s): Open document

04.01.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Kurdish weekly closed and one-year jail term for reporter in southwest ("Year ends badly for press, with Kurdish weekly closed and one-year jail term for reporter in southwest") [ID 22160]

Document(s): Open document

04.01.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Kurdish weekly closed and one-year jail term for reporter in southwest ("Year ends badly for press, with Kurdish weekly closed and one-year jail term for reporter in southwest") [ID 22237]

Document(s): Open document

28.12.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Call for journalist’s release after he has double heart attack in Evin prison ("Call for journalist’s release after he has double heart attack in Evin prison") [ID 22156]

Document(s): Open document

23.12.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Police arrest dozens of suppliers of illegal DVD movies and other videos deemed to be "decadent and immoral" ("Iran arrests dozens in video crackdown: police"), Autor: AFP [ID 22154]

Document(s): Open document

21.12.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalist freed on bail, but 11 others still held ("Journalist freed on bail, but 11 others still held") [ID 22145]

Document(s): Open document

19.12.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Tehran: Police have raided more than 430 Internet cafes and other shops during first days of latest campaign against what they say is inappropriate and un-Islamic conduct ("Tehran internet cafes shut down in drive against un-islamic behaviour") [ID 22144]

Document(s): Open document

04.12.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Reporters Without Borders calls on UN human rights official to act over unresolved murders of five Iranian journalists and intellectuals, nine years after killings ("Appeal to UN human rights official over nine-year-old murders of journalists and intellectuals") [ID 22136]

Document(s): Open document

03.12.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Tehran: Jelveh Javaheri, journalist and women’s rights defender, arrested on 1 December 2007 at branch of Revolutionary Court; she is accused in connection with articles posted on the Internet ("Urgent Action 321/07 [MDE 13/140/2007]") [ID 21822]

Document(s): Open document

03.12.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Tehran: Jelveh Javaheri, journalist and women’s rights defender, arrested on 1 December 2007 at branch of Revolutionary Court; she is accused in connection with articles posted on the Internet ("Urgent Action 321/07 [MDE 13/140/2007]") [ID 22080]

Document(s): Open document

28.11.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Iranian authorities have detained a blogger after he published details about the reported use of bomb-sniffing dogs in President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's security detail ("Iranian Blogger Held After Revealing Canine Security Details") [ID 21825]

Document(s): Open document

27.11.2007 - Source: BBC News

Top court orders a new probe into the death of the Iranian-Canadian journalist, Zahra Kazemi, in 2003 ("Iran court reopens Kazemi case") [ID 21826]

Document(s): Open document

27.11.2007 - Source: BBC News

Top court orders a new probe into the death of the Iranian-Canadian journalist, Zahra Kazemi, in 2003 ("Iran court reopens Kazemi case") [ID 22077]

Document(s): Open document

20.11.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

Journalist and women's rights activist Hosseinkhah arrested for writing articles on laws discriminating against women ("Iran arrests women's activist: report") [ID 22068]

Document(s): Open document

19.11.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist and women’s rights defender, Maryam Hosseinkhah, arrested; accused of "disturbing public opinion","propaganda against the system" and "publication of lies" ("Urgent Action 312/07 [MDE 13/137/2007]") [ID 22059]

Document(s): Open document

16.11.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

One journalist held incommunicado in South, three others get prison sentences in North ("One journalist held incommunicado in South, three others get prison sentences in North") [ID 22055]

Document(s): Open document

14.11.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Appeal court reduces journalist's sentence from three years to six months in prison for “trying to overthrow government by means of journalistic activities” ("Appeal court says Kurdish journalist to serve six months in prison") [ID 21668]

Document(s): Open document

14.11.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Officials have again imprisoned Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, the head of Iran's Democratic Front and the publisher of a now-banned weekly newspaper, "Payam-e Daneshjou-ye Basiji" ("Iranian Journalist, Political Activist Imprisoned Again") [ID 21669]

Document(s): Open document

10.11.2007 - Source: Iran Focus

The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence on a Kurdish dissident journalist Hassanpour; he was found guilty of mounting armed struggle against the system ("Iran court upholds death sentence on dissident") [ID 22062]

Document(s): Open document

09.11.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Supreme court decision upholding death sentence for Kurdish journalist should be "taken seriously" ("Supreme court decision upholding death sentence for Kurdish journalist should be "taken seriously"") [ID 21684]

Document(s): Open document

08.11.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

One journalist imprisoned, two publications suspended ("One journalist imprisoned, two publications suspended") [ID 21687]

Document(s): Open document

08.11.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

French-Iranian filmmaker Mehrnoushe Solouki held in Iran after shooting a documentary; after being released from prison, authorities confiscated her passport; she faces charges of intending to make antiestablishment propaganda ("Speaker For Pro-Reform Student Group Detained In Iran") [ID 21731]

Document(s): Open document

30.10.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Tehran: In what appears to be another blow to Iranian intellectual life, police have recently shut down six bookshop-cafes, and others may be in line for closure ("Tehran Bookshop-Cafes Closed In New Move Against Dissent") [ID 21810]

Document(s): Open document

25.10.2007 - Source: Guardian

Authorities close down coffee shops in bookstores amid general clampdown on social and intellectual freedoms ("Iran clamps down on coffee shops") [ID 22404]

Document(s): Open document

24.10.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalist subjected to mental and physical mistreatment since arrest 10 days ago ("Journalist subjected to mental and physical mistreatment since arrest 10 days ago") [ID 21820]

Document(s): Open document

12.07.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Regime accused of staging “creeping coup” against press ("Regime accused of staging “creeping coup” against the press") [ID 21594]

Document(s): Open document

04.07.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Iranian Kurdish journalist and human rights defender Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand is detained in unknown place, possibly Section 209 of Evin Prison; he was arrested on 1 July 2007 in Tehran by plain-clothed security officers; he may be at risk of torture ("Urgent Action 171/07 [MDE 13/081/2007]") [ID 21440]

Document(s): Open document

03.07.2007 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Three more journalists imprisoned ("Three more journalists imprisoned") [ID 21445]

Document(s): Open document

29.06.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Reports say Iran's Supreme National Security Council has warned journalists not to report on problems caused by gas rationing that led to great anger among some citizens who set fire to many gas stations in several cities ("Officials Reportedly Ban Negative Gas-Rationing Stories") [ID 21451]

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

After hunger strike journalist Akbar Ganji was released from prison; he spent 5 years in prison for his reports on government-linked murders of 80 dissidents abroad ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20022]

"On March 18, Akbar Ganji, a former IRGC leader turned political activist and journalist, was released from prison. Ganji was imprisoned in 2000 in connection with his reports linking the government to the "serial murders" of 80 dissidents in the country and abroad.

He was sentenced in 2001 to six years in prison on charges including acting against national security and spreading propaganda. He received a one-month furlough for medical treatment in 2005 and subsequently went on a 70-day hunger strike to protest his detention. After his release he was allowed to travel abroad."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Internet writer Mojtaba Saminejad, who spent more than 2 years in custody for insulting the supreme leader, was tortured in prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20032]

"On September 16, Internet writer Mojtaba Saminejad was reportedly released from prison. Saminejad was arrested in February 2005 and sentenced to more than two years in prison on charges that included insulting the supreme leader.

He was first detained in 2004 after reporting the arrest of other Internet writers and, according to HRW, tortured and held for 88 days in solitary confinement. In January 2005 he was released on $62,500 (50 million toman) bail. Saminejad started another Internet site but was detained again, and his bail tripled, which he could not pay. His trial in May 2005 was held behind closed doors."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Journalist Siamak Pourzand, in 2001 sentenced to 11 years in prison for “undermining state security”, was furloughed 2004 and later put under house arrest ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20035]

"Police arrested journalist Siamak Pourzand in 2001 and tried him in March 2002 behind closed doors. He was denied free access to a lawyer of his choice and was sentenced to 11 years in prison for "undermining state security through his links with monarchists and counterrevolutionaries." After repeated hospitalizations followed by reimprisonment, Pourzand was furloughed again in 2004 and remained under house arrest at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

In July 2005 journalist Massoud Bastani was arrested for covering a demonstration to support political prisoner Akbar Ganji; Bastani went through different prisons and is in poor health ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20036]

"In July 2005 police arrested journalist Massoud Bastani for covering a demonstration to support political prisoner Akbar Ganji. Bastani was held in Evin Prison, released in August 2005, then reimprisoned and sent to Arak prison, normally used for nonpolitical prisoners. He was released on furlough in September 2005 but returned to prison the next month.

In December 2005 the head of the Association of Iranian Journalists called for Bastani's release and said he was in poor health. In September an Internet source said he remained in prison."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Arjang Davoudi arrested in 2003 for assisting a Canadian reporter making a documentary about Canadian-Iranian journalist Zahra Kazemi; he was condemned to 14 years in jail, later beaten in custody and kept in solitary confinement ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20037]

"Arjang Davoudi was arrested in 2003 for assisting a Canadian reporter making a documentary about Canadian-Iranian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi. In 2005 he was condemned by a revolutionary court to either 14 or 15 years in jail; reportedly he was beaten and kept in solitary confinement for approximately 100 days.

Davoudi wrote a book from prison about his ordeal and had his manuscript privately delivered to a publishing company. According to one report, the Information Ministry prevented the book's publication by violence against the publisher and its employees.At year's end he was believed to be in internal exile in Bandar Abbas."

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Closure of newspapers and magazines in 2006 ("World Report 2007") [ID 18989]

"In September 2006 the Ministry of Culture and Guidance closed the reformist daily, Shargh, and shut down two reformist journals, Nameh and Hafez. In October the Ministry shut down a new reformist daily, Roozgar, only three days after it started publication."

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

News and information on websites blocked by authorities ("World Report 2007") [ID 18990]

"In 2006 the authorities also targeted websites and internet journalists in an effort to prevent online dissemination of news and information. The government systematically blocks websites inside Iran and abroad that carry political news and analysis. In September 2006 Esmail Radkani, director-general of the government-controlled Information Technology Company, announced that his company is blocking access to 10 million “unauthorized” websites on orders from the Judiciary and other authorities."

Document(s): Open document

01.12.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

2 journalists detained; national weekly newspaper closed for "ethnic insult" ("Two journalists detained, national weekly closed for “ethnic insult”") [ID 18023]

Document(s): Open document

30.11.2006 - Source: BBC News

Ayatollah issues fatwa against an Azeri writer, accusing him of insulting Prophet Muhammad ("Iran issues fatwa on Azeri writer") [ID 17854]

Document(s): Open document

30.11.2006 - Source: BBC News

Ayatollah issues fatwa against an Azeri writer, accusing him of insulting Prophet Muhammad ("Iran issues fatwa on Azeri writer") [ID 18024]

Document(s): Open document

21.11.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Cleric Ayatollah Morteza Bani Fazl offers his house as a reward to anyone who kills Azeri journalist Rafiq Tagi who allegedly insulted prophet Muhammad ("Iranian Cleric Offers His Home To Kill Azeri Writer") [ID 18017]

Document(s): Open document

21.11.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Journalists Association condemned the interrogation of 20 journalists who returned to Tehran after attending a 2-week training course in the Netherlands ("Group Condemns Interrogation Of Iranian Journalists") [ID 18018]

Document(s): Open document

15.11.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Two Journalists freed on bail after being held for one month ("Two journalists freed on bail after being held for one month") [ID 18021]

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

A Kurdish women's right activist and 2 Kurdish journalists arrested, later released on bail; they face charges that can carry the death penalty ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18828]

"[...] Dr Roya Toloui, a women’s rights activist, and two journalists, Ajlal Qavami and Sa’id Sa’edi, were among the Kurds arrested in August [2005]. All were released on bail in October and were reported to be facing political charges that can carry the death penalty."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist and prisoner of conscience Akbar Ganji, who uncovered involvement of government officials in murder of intellectuals and journalists, has to serve a 6-year prison sentence ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18885]

"The registration process for independent non-governmental organizations remained a barrier to their effective operation, and individual human rights defenders remained at risk of reprisal for their work. [...]

Prisoner of conscience Akbar Ganji, an investigative reporter who uncovered the involvement of government officials in the murder of intellectuals and journalists in the 1990s, continued to serve a six-year prison sentence imposed after he was convicted of vaguely worded charges including “acting against national security”. Following a hunger strike in protest at being denied independent medical treatment outside prison, accompanied by considerable domestic and international protests, he was temporarily released for medical treatment in July. He was returned to prison in September and placed in solitary confinement for over six weeks. His wife said he had been beaten by security forces in hospital."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist and prisoner of conscience Akbar Ganji, who uncovered involvement of government officials in murder of intellectuals and journalists, has to serve a 6-year prison sentence ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18885]

"The registration process for independent non-governmental organizations remained a barrier to their effective operation, and individual human rights defenders remained at risk of reprisal for their work. [...]

Prisoner of conscience Akbar Ganji, an investigative reporter who uncovered the involvement of government officials in the murder of intellectuals and journalists in the 1990s, continued to serve a six-year prison sentence imposed after he was convicted of vaguely worded charges including “acting against national security”. Following a hunger strike in protest at being denied independent medical treatment outside prison, accompanied by considerable domestic and international protests, he was temporarily released for medical treatment in July. He was returned to prison in September and placed in solitary confinement for over six weeks. His wife said he had been beaten by security forces in hospital."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist and prisoner of conscience Akbar Ganji, who uncovered involvement of government officials in murder of intellectuals and journalists, has to serve a 6-year prison sentence ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18885]

"The registration process for independent non-governmental organizations remained a barrier to their effective operation, and individual human rights defenders remained at risk of reprisal for their work. [...]

Prisoner of conscience Akbar Ganji, an investigative reporter who uncovered the involvement of government officials in the murder of intellectuals and journalists in the 1990s, continued to serve a six-year prison sentence imposed after he was convicted of vaguely worded charges including “acting against national security”. Following a hunger strike in protest at being denied independent medical treatment outside prison, accompanied by considerable domestic and international protests, he was temporarily released for medical treatment in July. He was returned to prison in September and placed in solitary confinement for over six weeks. His wife said he had been beaten by security forces in hospital."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Mohammad Reza Nasab Abdolahi, a human rights activist and newspaper editor, sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment and a fine for "insulting the country’s leader and making anti-government propaganda" ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18900]

"Mohammad Reza Nasab Abdolahi, a student campaigner for human rights and a newspaper editor, was sentenced in January to six months’ imprisonment and a fine for “insulting the country’s leader and making anti-government propaganda”. He was released in August. His pregnant wife, Najameh Oumidparvar, was detained in March for 24 days after posting a message on her weblog that her husband apparently wrote before his arrest."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Journalist and activist for Azeri rights disappeared and later found stabbed ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18360]

"According to Internet press reports, Massoumeh Babapour, a journalist for Tabriz newspapers and activist for Azeri rights, disappeared on October 3. She was found stabbed nine times, but still alive. According to her husband, she had received death threats calling her an atheist and claiming religious authorities passed a death sentence on her. At year's end there was no information regarding the perpetrators."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Journalist and political activist Akbar Ganji sentenced to 6 years in prison for reports linking the government with the killing of 80 dissidents ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18493]

"Akbar Ganji, a former IRGC leader turned political activist and journalist, has been imprisoned since 2000 in connection with his reports linking the government with the "serial murders" of 80 dissidents in the country and abroad. He was sentenced in 2001 to six years in prison on charges including acting against national security and spreading propaganda. In May he received a furlough for medical treatment but was returned to Evin prison in June. He went on a 70-day hunger strike to protest his detention, transferred to a hospital on July 17, and ended his strike in mid-August. On September 3, he was discharged from the hospital and returned to prison. At year's end he was held in a high security section of Evin prison, known as "Alef 2" controlled by the IRGC.

In July the head of the judiciary reportedly said Ganji could be pardoned if eligible; Tehran Judiciary Chief Alizadeh subsequently said he would not be released until the end of his sentence. The UN, European Union (EU), and numerous countries have called for Ganji's release. Ganji's wife said in an open letter in late October that she believed her husband was being beaten, had been moved to solitary confinement, and was not receiving medical care. In November HRW reported Ganji said judiciary officials tortured him to try to make him renounce his writings."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Arrest of journalist Siamak Pourzand, and the internet writers Mojtaba Lotfi, Afshin Zarei, Arash Sigarchi, and Mojtaba Saminejad ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18591]

"Police arrested journalist Siamak Pourzand in 2001 and tried him in March 2002 behind closed doors. He was denied free access to a lawyer of his choice and was sentenced to 11 years in prison for "undermining state security through his links with monarchists and counterrevolutionaries." He was kept in solitary confinement for months and physically and psychologically tortured to force him to make a televised confession. He was reportedly urged to implicate others, refused, was released but then returned a month later to Evin prison. In March 2004 Pourzand suffered a heart attack that left him in a coma. After repeated hospitalizations and reimprisonment, Pourzand was furloughed again in 2004 but kept under house arrest, not allowed to leave the country, and could be returned to prison at any time. His wife, Mehrangiz Kar, a human rights defender residing outside the country who face charges in connection with her participation in a 2000 conference in Berlin, was formerly a political prisoner.

In February the special court for the clergy sentenced Mojtaba Lotfi, a cleric who wrote social and political commentary on his Web site, to 3 years and 10 months in prison. He was released on August 28.

Afshin Zarei, an Internet writer arrested at the beginning of the year, was charged with insulting the supreme leader. According to press accounts by his lawyer in August, Zarei had been held in "temporary detention" for eight months. At year's end no further information was available.

On February 2, Internet writer and journalist Arash Sigarchi received a sentence of 14 years in prison for charges including espionage, aiding "hostile" governments, and insulting the country's leaders. On March 17, he was released pending appeal, after posting $127 thousand (100 million tomans) bail. In August he was summoned again to court and charged with insulting religious and political leaders and having a satellite dish, but was out of prison at year's end. (...)

(...) Mojtaba Saminejad, an Internet writer, was arrested on February 13 and sentenced to more than two years in prison on charges including insulting the supreme leader. He was first detained in October 2004 after reporting the arrest of other Internet writers and, according to HRW, tortured and held for 88 days in solitary confinement. On January 27, he was released on $62,500 (50 million toman) bail. He started another Internet site but was detained again, and his bail tripled, which he could not pay. His trial in May was held behind closed doors; he was sentenced to two years in prison for insulting Khomeini and the supreme leader and charged with apostasy. He was later acquitted of apostasy but remained in Rajai'i Shahr prison."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Trial against journalist Siamak Pourzand behind closed doors; he was denied access to lawyer of his choice ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18592]

"Police arrested journalist Siamak Pourzand in 2001 and tried him in March 2002 behind closed doors. He was denied free access to a lawyer of his choice and was sentenced to 11 years in prison for "undermining state security through his links with monarchists and counterrevolutionaries." He was kept in solitary confinement for months and physically and psychologically tortured to force him to make a televised confession. He was reportedly urged to implicate others, refused, was released but then returned a month later to Evin prison. In March 2004 Pourzand suffered a heart attack that left him in a coma. After repeated hospitalizations and reimprisonment, Pourzand was furloughed again in 2004 but kept under house arrest, not allowed to leave the country, and could be returned to prison at any time. His wife, Mehrangiz Kar, a human rights defender residing outside the country who face charges in connection with her participation in a 2000 conference in Berlin, was formerly a political prisoner."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Journalist Massoud Bastani arrested for covering a demonstration for political prisoner Akbar Ganji ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18596]

"On July 25, police arrested journalist Massoud Bastani for covering a demonstration to support political prisoner Akbar Ganji. Bastani was held in Evin Prison, released August 6, then reimprisoned and sent to Arak prison, normally used for nonpolitical prisoners. He was released for a month but returned to prison on November 5. In December the head of the Association of Iranian Journalists called for Bastani's release and said he was in poor health."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Journalists Taqi Rahmani, Hoda Saber and Reza Alijani detained without charges and later sentenced to prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18599]

"Author and journalist Taqi Rahmani has spent 17 years in prison since 1981 for his writings. In 2003 Tehran's chief prosecutor, Mortazavi ordered the arrest of Rahmani and two journalist colleagues, Hoda Saber and Reza Alijani. After a long detention without charges, all three were sentenced to lengthy prison sentences. In November 2004 Alijani, Saber, and Rahmani were released on bail of approximately $63 thousand (50 million tomans) each. At year's end they remained furloughed."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Journalist Amir Abbas Fakhravar arrested for criticizing the government and sentenced to 8 years in prison in 2002 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18601]

"Journalist Amir Abbas Fakhravar was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2002, reportedly because of his comments on the country's political leadership in the book, This Place Is Not a Ditch. In February 2003 he and Ahmad Batebi wrote an open letter criticizing the government and calling for a referendum. He was summoned to court, beaten, and transferred to Evin prison, from which he received periodic furloughs, most recently on June 10 (see section 1.c.)"

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Arjang Davoudi arrested in 2003 for assisting a Canadian reporter making a documentary about Canadian-Iranian photographer Zahra Kazemi and sentenced to long time imprisonment ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18604]

"Arjang Davoudi, a teacher, engineer, and poet, was arrested in 2003 for assisting a Canadian reporter making a documentary about Canadian-Iranian photographer Zahra Kazemi. During the year he was condemned by a revolutionary court to either 14 or 15 years in jail (varied by source), exile to a harsh climate, 5 years' suspension of his civil rights, and 70 lashes; reportedly he was beaten and kept in solitary confinement for approximately 100 days. Davoudi wrote a book from prison about interrogations, torture, and extended solitary confinement and had his manuscript privately delivered to a publishing company. According to one report, the information ministry attacked the publishing house, intercepted the manuscript, severely injured the employees, and arrested and imprisoned the publisher."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Activist and publisher sentenced in absence to 5 years in prison ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18664]

"Mohsen Sazgara, IRGC founder, turned activist and publisher of now suspended reformist dailies Jameh, Neshat, and Tous, was sentenced on appeal in March 2004 to a year in prison. A week before his release, he was charged with "undermining national security," "insulting the supreme guide," and "antigovernment propaganda" but left the country for medical treatment. On October 2, the revolutionary court sentenced him in his absence to five years in prison. (...)"

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Violation of the freedom of press: Ban of publications and prosecution of journalists ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18673]

"Among those prosecuted or threatened were journalists writing about ethnic issues. On April 25, police arrested Yusuf Azizi Banitaraf, a reformist Iranian-Arab journalist, during a press conference at the Center for the Defense of Human Rights in Tehran. Formerly with the daily newspaper Hamshari, Banitaraf wrote extensively on ethnic minorities, defended protestors, and condemned the violence after ethnic clashes on April 15 in Khuzestan between security forces and the Arab community. On June 28, he was released on bail of $25 thousand (20 million toman) [...]

On March 8, the Islamic culture and guidance ministry closed the proreform magazine Jameh-yi No and closed the monthly Karnameh on April 7 for publishing "immoral" news and poems.

On April 18, the government closed the Tehran bureau of Al-Jazeera after its correspondent reported on the clashes in Khuzestan and concurrently banned journalist travel to the region.

On June 20, the Tehran prosecutor's office banned the newspapers Eqbal, Aftab-e Yazd, Etemaad, and Hayat No after they published a letter to the supreme leader from presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi, who finished third in the first round of the presidential elections on June 17. Karroubi accused military organizations of breaking the law by supporting Ahmadinejad. All newspapers except Eqbal were allowed to resume publication on June 21; the editor of Eqbal was told the newspaper faced other complaints [...].


In August authorities sentenced Mohammad Sedigh Kabovand, editor of the weekly newspaper Payam-i Mardom-i Kurdistan, to 18 months in prison. According to RSF, Kabovand's lawyer, Abdolfattah Soltani, was not present, as Soltani was also in prison [...].


On October 16, the publishers of three magazines were tried in open court, with a jury selected by the judiciary, culture ministry, and Tehran city council. One was accused of publishing photographs of attractive celebrities to attract readers, thereby undermining Islamic values. Another was charged with spreading lies about the risk of AIDS in a local prison. At year's end there was no further information."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Government increases control over internet ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18705]

"The government increased control over the Internet as more citizens accessed it for news and political debate. HRW cited an online February 2004 "census" ranking Farsi the third-most-popular language for Internet Web sites (many of these were written from outside the country). An 2004 poll found many citizens trusted the Internet more than other news media. During the year approximately 6.2 million citizens used the Internet, and there were 683 Internet Service Providers.

In 2003 a government spokesman acknowledged state attempts to block access to "immoral" Internet sites. The judiciary also announced the creation of a special unit to handle Internet-related issues. According to press reporting, the judiciary highlighted over 20 subject areas to be blocked, including: insulting Islam; insulting the supreme leader or making false accusations about officials; undermining national unity and solidarity; and propagating prostitution and drugs.

Beginning in 2004 the government launched a major crackdown on sites based in the country, including "weblogs," reportedly blocking hundreds of Internet sites. According to HRW, since September 2004 Tehran's Chief Prosecutor, Saeed Mortazavi, reportedly ordered more than 20 Internet journalists and civil society activists arrested and held in a secret detention center in Tehran.

In December 2004 in a public letter to President Mohammed Khatami, Rajabali Mazrui, the father of one of those detained as well as president of the Association of Iranian Journalists and a former majles member, implicated the judiciary in the torture and secret detention of these individuals. His son, Hanif Mazrui, a computer technician for the banned newspaper Vaghayeh Etefaghieh, was arrested in September 2004. He was freed on November 11 after paying bail of approximately $19 thousand (15 million tomans).

In December 2004 four "weblog" detainees were presented at a televised "press conference" arranged by Judge Mortazavi and denied mistreatment. However, widespread and credible reports indicated that while in secret detention, threats, torture, and physical abuse were employed to obtain false confessions and letters of repentance [...]. After release some detainees testified to a presidential commission. Commission member and former presidential advisor Mohammad Ali Abtahi later wrote in his Internet site that they claimed they were beaten, held in solitary confinement, denied access to lawyers, and forced to make false confessions. On January 2, Abtahi reported that the government blocked access to his Internet site.

On January 11, Judiciary Head Shahrudi and other judiciary officials met with several Internet writers about their claims of mistreatment. On January 16, domestic media reported that Shahrudi instructed the public prosecutor's office to transfer the case to a special committee from the judiciary. The report on the treatment of the Internet writers was never publicly released [...]. By year's end most were released on bail. After their release, RSF reported that authorities summoned the bloggers for questioning several times a week, and they received threats from government officials.

On October 18, RSF accused the government of increasing control, surveillance, and censorship of the Internet. A study published by HRW listed Internet sites in the country blocked in mid-October. These sites included women's rights Web sites, several foreign based Farsi-language news sites, some popular Internet writer sites, the Freedom Movement Party Web site, a Web site promoting the views of Ayatollah Montazeri, some Kurdish Web sites, Web sites dedicated to political prisoners, and a Baha'i Web site. In October government authorities blocked access to the Baztab news Web site. The Web site manager said they received a judicial order saying the temporary ban was based on a complaint related to the nuclear issue. During November and December, three other Internet sites dealing with news and political issues were blocked. On December 13, 13 majles deputies protested Internet censorship in a letter to President Ahmadinejad and urged him to end the ban on these three sites."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Female journalist addressing women's issues arrested and beaten ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18711]

"In October 2004 Fereshteh Ghazi, a journalist addressing women's issues for the daily newspaper Etemad, was arrested on a variety of charges. According to press accounts, at least part of the time she was held in an undisclosed location and beaten for refusing to confess. Upon release in December 2004, she was immediately hospitalized."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Journalist Ensafali Hedayat left the country after being arrested for covering student demonstrations at Tabriz and attending a conference abroad organised by a group advocating a democratic Iran ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 19077]

"In 2003 police arrested freelance journalist Ensafali Hedayat at the University of Tabriz while he was covering student demonstrations; he was accused of inciting students to revolt. In January 2004 he was arrested after attending a conference abroad organized by a group advocating a democratic, secular state. In May 2004 the Tabriz appeals court confirmed an 18-month prison sentence against him. He subsequently left the country."

Document(s): Open document

20.01.2006 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalist and blogger Ahmad Reza Shiri sentenced to suspended 3-year-prison fine after being accused of blogging calls for boycott of legislative elections ("Blogger gets three-year suspended sentence") [#42431],  [ID 9031]

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Journalist reimprisoned week after his release on 6 August from Evin prison in Tehran, and is now being held in Arak prison which is normally used for non-political prisoners ("Journalist reimprisoned after a week of freedom, held with ordinary detainees") [#36578],  [ID 9032]

Document(s): Open document

13.09.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Journalist, who recently ended 2-month hunger strike and is in very poor health, reportedly sent back from hospital to Evin prison to serve remainder of his 6-year sentence; he was not granted regular access to his family and confidential meetings with his lawyer ("Iran - Further Information on UA 164/05") [#36519],  [ID 9033]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

13.09.2005 - Source: BBC News

Iranian dissident writer placed in solitary confinement after being transferred back to prison from hospital; no apparent reason has been given for putting him "in quarantine" ("Iran writer in 'jail quarantine'") [#36561],  [ID 9034]

Document(s): Open document

08.09.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Freelance journalist who works with several local media was arrested in Sarvabad border area after visiting Kurdish part of neighbouring Irak; 3 other journalists were arrested and no explanation was given for their arrest ("Concern over fate of journalists detained in Kurdish part of Iran") [#36336],  [ID 9035]

Document(s): Open document

06.09.2005 - Source: International Federation for Human Rights

Teheran: Prominent journalist Akbar Ganji, who has been imprisoned for more than 5 years, and released in order to be hospitalised, was taken back to Evin prison ("Arbitrary detention") [#36825],  [ID 9036]

Document(s): Open document

04.09.2005 - Source: BBC News

Dissident journalist Akbar Ganji sent back to jail after leaving hospital where he was recovering from hunger strike ("Iran dissident sent back to jail") [#36200],  [ID 9037]

Document(s): Open document

29.08.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Online journalist freed after more than 6 months in prison; weblogger who was arrested in February was also released after completing his sentence ("Release of cyberjournalist Mojtaba Lotfi and blogger Mohamad Reza Nasab Abdolahi") [#36177],  [ID 9038]

Document(s): Open document

23.08.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Imprisoned journalist ended his hunger strike which he began on 11 June in protest at being denied access to medical care for chronic asthma; he is at risk of being returned to Evin prison when he leaves hospital, to serve remainder of his 6-year sentence ("Iran - Further Information on UA 164/05") [#35912],  [ID 9039]

Document(s): Open document

22.08.2005 - Source: BBC News

Dissident journalist Akbar Ganji ended his hunger strike which he began in June in protest at his imprisonment ("Iranian dissident calls off fast") [#35723],  [ID 9040]

Document(s): Open document

12.08.2005 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

Sanandaj: 3 journalists arrested at start of August for covering disturbances of past few weeks in Kurdish-dominated northwestern region, ordered to be kept in custody for 2 months ("Crackdown on journalists continues in Iran's Kurdish-dominated northwest") [#35314],  [ID 9041]

Document(s): Open document

11.08.2005 - Source: BBC News

Tehran: Some 250 people held rally in support of jailed Iranian dissident writer who has now been on hunger strike for 63 days; he started his hunger strike to pressure judges to grant him unconditional release ("Iran rally to save fasting writer") [#35308],  [ID 9043]

Document(s): Open document

09.08.2005 - Source