Nabavi released on bail
November 19, Teheran (dpa) - Popular Iranian satirist Ebrahim Nabavi
has been released on bail after four months in prison, the Teheran daily
Iran reported Sunday. See interview
Nabavi was released Saturday from the notorious Evin prison in northern
Teheran after he paid bail amounting to 200 million Rials (66,000 dollars
at the official rate), the report said.
The satirist is one of dozens of reformist journalists who have been
are detained on charges of press violation. Their publications have also
been banned.
In court last Wednesday Nabavi apologised to officials whom he has allegedly
insulted.
Before his arrest, Nabavi was in Canada and predicted that he would
be arrested upon his return to Iran.
He told the Canadian-Iranian Centre for Liberty & Equality that
the reformist movement in Iran ``could in no way be stopped or set back''
and predicted ``the end'' of the reform opponents.
Nabavi is well known for having once remarked that Iran is an exceptional
country as ``the president over there is simultaneously the leader of the
opposition''.
This was a reference to president Mohammad Khatami whose reform oriented
course has been strongly criticised by the conservative clergy.
More than 20 liberal dailies have been closed down by the conservative
opposition in the judiciary within the last eight months and the crackdown
continues.
On Saturday and Sunday, many walls in Teheran were scribbled with slogans
against Attaollah Mohajerani, the liberal culture minister and advocate
of free press.
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