(19 September 2011) Iranian authorities should end the ongoing intimidation and arrest of filmmakers and journalists accelerated by the recent detention of six documentary filmmakers, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today. Diplomats meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on his current visit to New York should challenge him on widespread government attacks on free expression, added the Campaign.
“These arrests prove yet again that President Ahmadinejad and his intelligence apparatus have no tolerance for independent filmmakers and journalists,” said Aaron Rhodes, a spokesperson for the Campaign. “If the President expects the international community to respect his right to speak in New York, then he should be forced to explain why filmmakers and media are subject to repression in Iran.”
On 17 September 2011 Iranian authorities detained six independent documentary filmmakers. According to Campaign sources the filmmakers include Mohsen Shahrnazdar, Hadi Afarideh, Katayoun Shahabi, Naser Safarian, Shahnam Bazdar and Mojtaba Mir Tahmaseb. A pro-government news agency, Young Journalist Club, accused the detained filmmakers of working for BBC Persian and engaging in espionage on behalf of the news service. Several sources reported that the detainees have been taken to Ward 240 of Evin Prison, which is under the control of the Ministry of Intelligence.
“BBC Persian has no one working for it inside of Iran, officiall… >>>
