24 Internet cafés closed and 23 arrests as government steps up online crackdown

Reporters Without Borders condemns the closure of 24 Internet cafés in the course of a police operation in Tehran on 16 December in which 23 people, including 11 women, were arrested for “immoral behaviour.” “This is further evidence of an even more radical government line on free expression, especially when women are involved,” the press freedom organisation said. “The grounds for arresting these women were extremely vague. They did nothing to threaten public morality. We firmly condemn this attack on freedoms, and we call for the release of all 23 detainees and the reopening of the Internet cafés.” The Tehran police said a total of 170 cafés and Internet cafés were warned on 15 December that they were risking the possibility of closure. The raids coincide with a reinforcement of the official campaign launched in April against women violating the Islamic dress code. They are being advised not to wear “western-style” dress such as tight trousers or high boots, regarded as “inappropriate attire.” Since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became president in 2005, everyone's physical appearance is supposed to respect Islam. Cyber-feminists Maryam Hosseinkhah and Jelveh Javaheri are meanwhile still being held in Evin prison in the northern outskirts of Tehran. Hosseinkhah, 32, a journalist who writes for the websites Zanestan and WeChange, has been held since 18 November. Javaheri, 30, was arrested on 1 December. After charging them with publishing false information, disturbing public opinion and “publicity against the Islamic Republic,” the authorities have demanded very large amounts of bail (95,000 euros for Hosseinkhah and 50,000 euros for Javaheri) to release them. Iran is one of the strictest countries in the world as regards online filtering and censorship. For the past year, all websites that offer news about Iran have been required to register with the culture ministry. According to the council of ministers, insulting Islam or other monotheistic religions, spreading separatist ideologies, publishing false news or publishing news that invades privacy are all grounds for declaring a website illegal. Call for the release of Maryam Hosseinkhah and Jelveh Javaheri : http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=24570&var_mode=calcul Photo : AFP