“As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, we implore
the Iranian authorities to take advantage of this blessed occasion, which is a
time for benevolence and humanity, to release Maziar Bahari and to permit him
to be reunited with his family,” said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program
Coordinator Mohamed Abdel Dayem. CPJ delivered a petition today via facsimile in support of
Bahari to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Justice in Bahari, 42, is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker
and playwright in addition to his work as a journalist with Newsweek. He
remains imprisoned as part of what Iranian officials have called a “Western
media conspiracy.” Bahari has not had access to a lawyer and only limited contact
with family members. Dozens of journalists remain behind bars since the
post-election roundup, including Ahmad
Zaid-Abadi, a columnist for Farsi and English-language reformist news Web
site Rooz Online who has reportedly been held in inhumane conditions. “We are greatly concerned about the dozens of journalists in
Iranian prisons and call for their immediate release,” said Abdel Dayem.
Committee to Protect Journalists
Iran: CPJ calls for humanitarian release as Ramadan ends
New York, September 10,
2009—As
the end of Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches, Maziar Bahari, a
Canadian-Iranian national, continues to be held in an Iranian jail under
deplorable conditions. The Newsweek correspondent has been detained
for 80 days since he was arrested on June 21 as part of a post-election
crackdown. The Committee to Protect Journalists is renewing its
call for his release during this time of forgiveness and compassion in the
Muslim world.
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