(RSF/IFEX) – While RSF awarded its tenth prize to Iranian journalist Reza Alijani on Wednesday 28 November 2001, in the French National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale), the Iranian authorities are continuing their censorship of the media. The newspaper “Mellat” was suspended on 29 November. The motive given by the authorities was to prevent “offensive measures aimed […]
(RSF/IFEX) – While RSF awarded its tenth prize to Iranian journalist Reza Alijani on Wednesday 28 November 2001, in the French National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale), the Iranian authorities are continuing their censorship of the media. The newspaper “Mellat” was suspended on 29 November. The motive given by the authorities was to prevent “offensive measures aimed at creating tension and insecurity in the climate of the country’s press.” Distribution of the newspaper was previously suspended on 23 May 2000, a day after its first issue was published (see IFEX alert of 1 September 2000).
On 27 November, the financial daily “Akhbar-é-Eghtessadi” was banned from publishing. The Press Court, presided by Judge Saïd Mortazi, noted that, according to the law, the newspaper, published in 1997 and 1998 under the names “Akhbar” and “Akhbar-é-Eghtessadi”, had previously been banned by the court and could not be published again. The daily was suspended in 2000 during the political repression by the courts, which ended in the closure of about twenty dailies and many reformist newspapers (see IFEX alerts of 1 September and 25 April 2000).
Unjustified arrests of journalists also continue in Iran. Siamak Pourzand, aged 70, a diabetic with a heart condition, has been missing since 24 November. In recent weeks, he collaborated with United States-based Iranian opposition radio stations. According to Amnesty International, the journalist’s disappearance is connected with his position as manager of the Majmue-ye Farrhangi-ye Honari-ye Tehran, a Tehran cultural centre where he receives artists, intellectuals and writers. The journalist was particulary well-known for his articles against the Islamic regime. Pourzand is the husband of human rights lawer Mehrangiz Kar, who is now living in the United States. Issa Khandan, head of the social service of two dailies, “Khordad” and “Fath”, was arrested on 10 November by the Clergy Court. His wife stated that she does not know the reasons for his arrest.
