(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has welcomed the release of online journalist Mojtaba Lotfi on 28 August 2005 after more than six months in prison and Mohamad Reza Nasab Abdolahi, a weblogger arrested in February, who was set free the previous day after completing his sentence. However, it remains concerned that both still have prison sentences hanging […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has welcomed the release of online journalist Mojtaba Lotfi on 28 August 2005 after more than six months in prison and Mohamad Reza Nasab Abdolahi, a weblogger arrested in February, who was set free the previous day after completing his sentence. However, it remains concerned that both still have prison sentences hanging over their heads.
“We are naturally delighted at the release of Mojtaba Lotfi, particularly since there was growing concern about his state of health,” said RSF. “With the regime’s hardliners controlling the government, we were very pessimistic about the plight of jailed journalists and webloggers. Against this background, his release provides a glimmer of hope, particularly for Mojtaba Saminejad, the last remaining blogger still in prison.
“But we have to temper our enthusiasm since Mojtaba Lotfi’s release has not been formally confirmed by the courts and Mohamed Reza Nasab Abdolahi still faces charges in another case that has not yet reached court. They could both be sent back to prison at any time.”
Lotfi, a theology student in the city of Qom, was freed at the end of a three-day pass to celebrate a religious festival with his family. The authorities phoned him on the last day of his temporary release to tell him that he need not return to prison. But he received no written confirmation of his release order. Lotfi was seriously ill as a result of being gassed during the Iran-Iraq war and his health rapidly deteriorated in prison. For further information on this case, see: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=13696
Abdolahi, who was arrested on 23 February and sentenced to six months in prison plus a fine of one million rials (approx. US$111; 90 euros), was released on 27 August. His arrest was reportedly linked to his occasional contributions to foreign radio stations. He is also apparently facing charges in a separate “morality” case – a charge frequently levelled against political dissidents in Iran. For more information on this case go to: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=12655
Blogger Mojtaba Saminejad remains in jail. He is serving two years following his arrest in February (see IFEX alerts of 13 July, 8 June, 17 May and 15 February 2005 and 30 November 2004).
