January
22, 2012
Press Release:
Journalists Detained in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Solitary Cells
Parastoo Dokouhaki
and Marzieh Rasouli, Iranian journalists and bloggers who were arrested last
week, are being kept in solitary cells at Tehran’s Evin prison. Latest reports
from Iran indicate that the two are held by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards
Corps (Sepah) in the so-called ‘Ward AA’ (do
Alef). The AA Ward of the Evin Prison is not under the jurisdiction or
supervision of the Iranian Prisons Organizations, and is illegally run by the
Intelligence Department of the IRGC.
Last week, agents
stormed the houses of Dokouhaki and Rasouli and arrested the aforementioned,
confiscating their laptops and other personal belongings. The two have been
charged with “acting against national security” and “propaganda against the
regime” – loosely defined charges that are repeatedly used in a range of cases.
The real reasons for the arrests are, thus, not clear. So far, the journalists
have been denied the right of access to attorney and no visitation with their
family has been granted.
Dokouhaki and
Rasouli are not the only journalists arrested within the last few days;
Sahameddin Bouraghani, Fatemeh Kheradmand, Ehsan Houshmand, Said Madani,
Farshad Ghorban Pour, Mohammad Soleimaninia, Nasrin Nematollahi, Peyman
Pakmehr, and Shahram Manoucheri are among the many journalists, bloggers and
Web activists who have been arrested in the recent weeks.
Furthermore, family
members of reporters employed by Persian media outlets outside of Iran, such as
BBC Persian, have
been harassed or detained. In addition, a number of university students and
ordinary citizens were called for questioning and subjected to beatings.
In light of the wave
of arrest of the journalists and bloggers inside Iran and the pressure placed
upon those outside the country, it seems that in the run-up to the March 2012
Parliamentary Elections, the Iranian government is trying to cut off the free
flow of information by whatever means necessary. The journalists and bloggers
inside Iran, as well as the families of those working for news services outside
Iran, thus seem to be the victims of a pre-emptive action by Islamic Republic
to tighten its grip and block the free flow of information.
We ask the Iranian
government to release these journalists
immediately. We further ask all human rights organizations and the
international community to condemn the pressures and fear mongering perpetuated
by the Islamic Republic, and encourage all to follow up on this case and demand
their speedy release from the IRGC run prison.
To get further
information about the recent arrests and obtain contact information of the
relatives and family friends of those arrested in order to conduct an
interview, please contact: free.parastoo.marzieh@gmail.com
Friends of Parastou
Dokouhaki and Marzieh Rasouli
About Parastou Dokouhaki
Parastou Dokouhaki,
journalist, blogger, and woman’s rights activist has been detained at Evin
prison since the eve of Sunday, January 15, when agents stormed her house and arrested
her along with confiscating her laptop and other personal items. Parastoo
Dokouhaki’s activism dates back to 1998 when she started working with Zanan, a
feminist journal. As a journalist, she worked for newspapers such as Yas-e Nou,
Eghbal, Etemad-e Melli, and Shargh. One of the most famous female bloggers,
Dokouhaki wrote extensively about social issues with a focus on women-specific
issues. In 2005, her weblog won the award for the best journalistic weblog from
Deutche Welle. She was actively involved with groups working on various women’s
rights issues, such as the women’s rights to enter the soccer stadiums. In 2007
she went to UK to continue her education. She received a masters’ degree in
Media Studies from University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies
(SOAS) after which, she returned to Iran. Prior to this arrest, Dokouhaki was
arrested in March 4, 2007 and charged with “action against national security”
from which she was acquitted in court in May 25, 2010. In recent months, Dokouhaki was collaborating
on a project with Shariati Foundation. Dokouhaki has a chronic illness and must
use medication under the supervision of her physician.
About Marzieh
Rasouli
A literary and
cultural journalist and famous social blogger, Marzieh Rasouli has been
imprisoned at Evin prison since Tuesday January 17 when agents stormed her house
and confiscated her personal belonging and laptop along with arresting her. When
her house was stormed, Rasouli was logged into her email account. After she was
arrested, emails were sent from her account to some of her friends stating that
she is not arrested and that the news of her arrest is a mere rumor, which the
matter has caused serious concerns amongst her friends. Rasouli has worked in
the literary and cultural section of ISNA (Iranian Student News Agency) as well
as newspapers such as Iran, Shargh, and Etemad. In 2005, her collection of
cultural reporting for Shargh newspaper won her the first place in the Printed
Press Festival of Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. In October 2010,
while attempting to leave Iran on a leisurely trip, her passport was
confiscated at the airport and she was told that she is exit-banned. While
pursuing her case to reclaim her passport, she was informed that she stands
accused of spying. However, a few weeks ago, Rasouli was told that she was
cleared of all charges and that her passport will be returned to her. Rasouli
has been interrogated numerous times by the Ministry of Intelligence.
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