Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned Iran for its treatment of journalists and called on President Rouhani to take action against arbitrary arrests and incarceration.
The condemnation comes as Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attend the 71st United Nations General Assembly in New York, and as jailed journalist Ehsan Mazandarani begins a hunger strike.
It follows the recent arrests of Sadra Mogaghegh, society editor for Shargh newspaper, on September 19 and Yashar Soltani from Memari News earlier in September. Police arrested the journalists for reporting on corruption among senior Tehran officials, including the mayor, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
RSF and other human rights organizations have called attention to the cases of Isa Saharkhiz, Afarin Chitsaz, and Saman Safarzai, all accused of being part of an “infiltration network."
On September 10, Chitsaz returned to Evin prison to serve a two-year sentence after being released on bail pending an appeal trial.
As Iran’s leader traveled to the UN in New York, we highlighted some of the key prisoner of conscience stories journalists should be aware of when covering Iran, including the high profile case of anti-death penalty activist Narges Mohammadi. RSF also highlighted her case, and the cases of Sedegh Kabodvand, Roya Saberi and Negad Nobakht, emphasizing authorities’ refusal to grant them essential medical care. Chitsaz and Mazandarani have also faced medical neglect, and Mazandarani suffered a heart attack in June.