Freedom House Concerned For Arrested Iranian Journalist

Freedom House is extremely concerned about the arrest of Mohammad Soleymania, an Iranian journalist, translator, poet and social networking expert, and urges Iranian authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally.

On June 30, 2012, Mr. Soleimania was summoned before the Evin branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and was transferred to Evin prison soon after. No charges have been announced, however. Mr. Soleimania was previously arrested on January 2012 and spent almost five months in Evin prison and was mostly kept in solitary confinement. He was subjected to severe violent interrogations and went on a hunger strike for 28 days to protest his illegal arrest and mistreatment. 

This incident highlights the increasing pressure by the Iranian regime on independent journalists and bloggers using a variety of methods to harass and intimidate them.

Learn more:

Freedom in the World 2011: Iran

Freedom in the Press 2011: Iran

Freedom on the Net 2011: Iran

Blog: From Bad to Worse: The Human Rights Situation in Iran