Number of detained journalists on the rise in Iran

Vahid Pourostad

The arrest of Vahid Pourostad this morning in Tehran brought the number of detained journalists in Iran to over 65. He was arrested this morning at home while his computer and documents were also confiscated.

Reporters Without Borders announced that this number of imprisoned journalists in one country is unprecedented in the past 25 years. They also report that journalists and media activists are being arrested in all the major cities of Iran in an attempt to discourage protesters from staging any protests on February 11, anniversary of the 1979 Revolution.

The press organization urges the United Nations to remind the Islamic Republic of its international commitments regarding human rights and also calls on Western countries to condemn and take firm action against “the travesty of justice and show trials” that has led to the imprisonment and execution of dissidents in Iran.