Journalists Imprisoned in Iran (2)
(as of 12-31-97)
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Faraj Sarkoohi, Adineh Imprisoned: January 27, 1997 Sarkoohi, editor in chief of the monthly literary magazine Adineh, was arrested by Iranian authorities and in September 1997, sentenced to one year in prison for "slandering the Islamic Republic," a charge which stemmed from a letter he smuggled out of Iran in January describing his detention and torture at the hands of Iranian authorities in 1996. Previously, in 1994, Sarkoohi had been one of 134 writers and intellectuals who petitioned the Iranian government to end censorship and launch official efforts to foster greater freedom of expression.

Morteza Firouzi, Iran News  Imprisoned: November 9, 1997 The official Iranian daily Joumhouri Islami reported that Firouzi, editor in chief of the English-language daily Iran News, was arrested on charges of espionage. Prior to Joumhouri Islami’s announcement, Firouzi had been rumored "disappeared" for several months, since about the time of the presidential election in May. Authorities have provided no further details about his case, but CPJ has received reports that Firouzi’s arrest was related to articles published in Iran News calling for the release of foreign nationals from Iranian prisons, and for warmer relations with the United States. The charge of espionage is frequently brought against individuals viewed as threats to the regime. The charge has also been used by political factions within the government to attack their opponents’ allies.

Please send appeals to: His Excellency Mohammed Khatemi  President of the Islamic Republic of Iran  The Presidency, Palestine Avenue  Azerbaijan Intersection  Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran  Telex: 214231 MITI IR or 213113 PRIM IR  Fax: 98 21 674790 (via Foreign Affairs; ask for fax to be forwarded)

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