Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei steps up war on journalists

In a renewed crackdown on the news media in the capital, plain-clothes intelligence ministry officials yesterday searched the headquarters of four daily newspapers – Etemad, Arman, Shargh and Bahar – and the weekly Aseman and, without giving any explanation, arrested at least 10 journalists. Two other journalists were arrested the day before. Arrest warrants have been issued for other journalists. “The constant persecution of journalists keeps on intensifying by the day,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. “Iran has not yet emerged from the era of terror launched after the disputed June 2009 presidential election and now, five months before the next election in June 2013, a clear warning is being given – journalists and news media will be gagged.” Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all journalists currently detained in Iran. The authorities must put an end to these repeated waves of arrests, which have the sole aim of ensuring the regime’s stability and survival. Such intimidation attempts are doomed to fail. According to the information obtained by Reporters Without Borders, at least 12 journalists were arrested during the weekend. The ten arrested yesterday were Sasan Aghai, Nasrin Takhayori, Javad Daliri and Emily Amrai of Etemad; Motahreh Shafie, Nargus Jodaki and Saba Azarpyk of Arman; Porya Alami and Pejman Mousavi of Shargh; and Akbar Montajabi of Aseman. The two journalists arrested the day before were Milad Fadai Asl of the news agency ILNA and Soliman Mohammadi of Bahar. Both were arrested at their place of work. All 12 were transferred to unknown detention centres after searches of their homes and confiscation of personal effects. Other journalists have been sent summonses to present themselves to revolutionary courts during the days to come. Since the start of January, a number of journalists have been summoned for questioning by Revolutionary Guards or intelligence ministry officials. During these interrogations, they have been questioned above all about the next presidential election and the candidate or candidates they intend to support. They were also asked for their opinion on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s latest speech, on 28 December, in which he berated government opponents. “Stop saying we must organize free elections,” he said. “Since the start of the Islamic Republic, the elections have always been free.” Prosecutor-general Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi said threateningly during a news conference on 21 January: “Reliable information has reached me that certain journalists in Iran are collaborating with westerners and counter-revolutionaries based abroad.”