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Iran: List of imprisoned journalists and bloggers

Iranian authorities are holding at least 40 journalists in prison as the June presidential election approaches, the second-highest total in the world and a figure that reflects the government’s continuing determination to silence independent coverage of public affairs, a new analysis by the Committee to Protect Journalists has found in May 2013.

The real figures for the Islamic Republic are however much higher as the following list proves. I posted it first in February 2010, based on the data by CPJ from February 2010 and The Guardian’s Spreadsheet of the victims of Iran’s crackdown from January 2010, regularly updated since. While some of the listed journalists may have been released or even have fled the country in the meantime, most cases are fairly well documented by reports from Iranian human rights websites as RAHANA (Human Rights House of Iran), HRANA or the Green Voice of Freedom. Even if one ignores the names lacking recent data, still more than 90 journalists, bloggers and human rights reporters are behind bars, while more than 90 journalists have been released on bail, awaiting their sentences or facing imprisonment. Recent additions with gratitude to the list of political prisoners, compiled by Lissnup. 

A List of the 100+ Journalists Detained Since the 2009 Elections has been published in July 2011 by expatriate reporter Masih Alinejad, parts 1 and 2 of this report are also available in German translation on Julia’s Blog.

In its report from early 2012 the Committee to Protect Journalists names Iran one of the world’s 10 online oppressors, while authorities block millions of sites. In 2011 „Tehran continued to use the mass imprisonment of journalists to silence dissent and quash critical news coverage. Imprisoned journalists suffered greatly amid the crowded and unsanitary conditions of notorious prisons such as Rajaee Shahr and Evin. The health of many detainees severely deteriorated, while numerous others suffered abuse at the hands of prison guards. The detainees also faced a battery of punitive measures, from the denial of family visits to placement in solitary confinement. Authorities continued a practice of freeing some prisoners on furloughs while making new arrests.“   

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders has once again named Iran in its “2012 list of the Enemies of the Internet.” Also further press freedom violations recounted in real time (from 1st January 2012).

Witness Statement of journalist and former political prisoner Saeed Pourheydar (5 March 2013)

Iran Renews Media Crackdown Ahead Of June Vote: 14 journalists have been arrested in Tehran during January 26 to 28, 2013, mostly after raids on their offices at reformist publications Bahar, Shargh, Arman, Etemad, and Aseman Weekly. Reza Moini (RSF) reports that 8 more reporters have been summoned by security forces.

More detailed informations about Iran’s prisoners of conscience – an interactive guide published by Saeed Kamali Dehghan and Anita Hunt (@lissnup) in The Guardian in May 2013.

Iran jails at least 10 journalists in two-week span as reported by CPJ on 16 July 2013.

The current list will be updated on a regular base. Any additional data from our readers are most welcome.  

107 imprisoned journalists, bloggers and human rights reporters (updated 9 October 2013)

1. Adnan Hassanpour, Aso, managing director of Marivan Literary Association from 2001-2004, received appreciation awards in 2004 and 2005 by Ershad Ministry, arrested on January 25, 2007, deprived of his legal right to furlough since 2007, according to his sister

Adnan Hassanpour

2. Hossein Derakhshan, freelance, blogger, arrested November 2008, sentenced to 19.5 years in prison September 30, 2010, returns to Evin after prison furlough April 3, 2011

3. Saeed Malekpour, web-designer and blogger, arrested on October 4, 2008, tortured physically and mentally in prison, sentenced to death on December 6, 2010, moved to solitary confinement on December 7, 2010, Supreme Court overturns execution ruling on June 24, 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison and execution, execution sentence confirmed by Supreme Court on January 16, 2012

4. Kayvan Samimi, Nameh, arrested on June 14, 2009, released on bail March 16, 2010, return to prison March 20, 2010

5. Bahman Ahmadi Amouee, freelance, arrested on June 19, 2009, sentence of 5 years in prison confirmed, transferred to Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj as part of prison crackdown on June 11, 2012

6. Massoud Bastani, Farhikhtegan, Jomhooriyat, arrested July 5, 2009, sentenced to 6 years in prison, total ban from press, transferred to solitary confinement in Rajai Shahr prison after being beaten and hospitalised on June 5, 2011

7. Saeed Matinpour, Yar Pag and Mouj Bidari, arrested July 12, 2009, sentenced to 8 years in prison, reported in critical health condition on 10 March 2011

8. Mohammad Davari, Saham News, arrested September 9, 2009, sentenced to 5 years prison on 16 May 2010, upheld on appeal 4 August 2010, sentenced to an additional year in prison on 25 July 2011 all while suffering for months with severe depression in Evin Prison

9. Karim Arghandehpour, journalist, blogger, Salam, Vaghayeh Ettefaghieh, arrested June 14, 2009

10. Mostafa Dehghan, freelance, arrested January 4, 2010

11. Naghi Ahmadi Azar, 5 years in prison for „espionage against Armenia and in favour of Azarbaijan Republic“

12. Abolfazl Abedini Nasr, weekly Bahar Ahvaz, arrested March 3, 2010, sentenced to 11 years in prison, sentence increased to 12 years in prison by appeals court in October 2011

Houtan Abolfathi

13. Houtan Abolfathi, freelance, arrested February 15, 2010 21. Ali Pirhasanlou, journalist and blogger „Alpar“, arrested September 18, 2009

14. Alireza Rajai, arrested after 2009 elections, later released, rearrested during raid on his home and sent to Evin prison on 24 April 2011, allowed first visit on 3 June 2011

15. Maryam Zolfeghar, IRNA reporter, arrested June 22, 2009, current status unknown

16. Mohammad Pour Abdollah, freelance, arrested February 13, 2010

17. Morteza Moradpour, Yazligh, arrested May 22, 2009, sentenced to 3 years in prison, sentence upheld on appeal February 2010, assumed to be in Tabriz prison

Morteza Moradpour

18. Sousan Mohammadkhani Ghiasvand, Kurd blogger, human rights activist, arrested March 11, 2010, released three weeks later, rearrested in Karaj on February 14, 2011

19. Khalil Mir-Ashrafi, journalist, TV-Producer, arrested June 14, 2009, no further news

20. Hassan Assadi Zeidabadi, blogger, student, human rights activist, no further data on arrest, sentenced to 5 years in prison September 10, 2010

21. Saeedollah Behdashti, journalist, Qazvin, arrested June 20, 2009, list of prisoners from March 2010

22. Saeed Movahedi, photojournalist, arrested July 9, 2009

23. Seyed Emar Kalantari, journalist, cleric, Ayandeh website, arrested July 2009

24. Akbar Azad, journalist and author, Varligh and Yarpagh, arrested May 25, 2010

25. Arash Saghar, journalist, arrested November 22, 2009, sentenced to 8 years in prison October 13, 2010

26. Hassan Etemadi, journalist, sentenced to 2 years in prison

27. Yahya Samadi, Sanandadj, former editor of Souran weekly, arrested July 27, 2010

28. Siamak Ghaderi, journalist, IRNA, arrested August 7, 2010, sentenced to 4 years in prison January 24, 2011

29. Mehdi Jalil-Khani, author, freelance, Zanjan, arrested January 18, 2010, sentenced to 3 years in prison, sentence confirmed August 9, 2011

30. Mohammad Reza Mogheiseh, Bist-saleh-ha, arrested October 24, 2010, sentenced to 6 years in prison in 2010

31. Mehdi Hosseinzadeh, arrested December 1, 2009, sentence of 1 year in prison, released on bail January 28, 2010, returned to prison January 31, 2010

32. Mehran Rajabi, journalist, ISNA, ILNA, Kargaran, Etemade Melli and Hamshahri, arrested February 7, 2011, held incommunicado

33. Hamed Ataei, editor in chief of Aina News, sentenced to 4 months in prison on January 5, 2011, begins serving sentence on 13 August 2013

34. Omid Mohades, journalist, Shahid Beheshti website, arrested February 9, 2011, sentenced to 4 years in prison and a 5-year ban from print or online journalism on May 6, 2012

35. Nozhat Amirabadian, journalist, Fararu, Aftab, and Hammihan News, arrested February 11, 2011

36. Abdollah Naseri, former head of the Islamic Republic New Agency IRNA, spokesman to reformists, arrested February 14, 2011

37. Parsa Bahmani, journalist, Shiraz, Afsaneh daily, fined to 1 million Toman after first arrest in June 2009, rearrested on March 1, 2011, no data on his status

Parsa Bahmani

38. Ahmad Nourmohammadi Abadchi, blogger, arrested at home after raid of security forces in mid March 2011, whereabouts unknown

39. Mina Shahrvand, blogger, arrested at her home after raid of security forces on February 3, 2011, transferred to an unknown location

40. Houman Mousavi, blogger and political activist, arrested on April 1, 2009, spent 211 days in solitary confinement in Evin ward 240, transferred to ward 209, both controlled by intelligence ministry, no formal accusation since arrest

41. Artin Ghazanfari, Baha’i photojournalist, arrested after Ashura events in December 2009, released on bail on April 3, 2010, started 1 year sentence in Evin on April, 16, 2011

Artin Ghazanfari

42. Ali Ebrahimi, blogger and civil activist, arrested in Tehran after raid on his home on February 20, 2011, transferred to Evin, ward 240, no formal accusation since arrest

43. Manuchehr Tamari, reporter to IRNA, arrested by security forces in Sanandaj on April 17, 2011

44. Hassan Zohouri, journalist for Cultural Heritage Organisation, arrested on February 8, 2010, released on bail, sentenced to 6 months in prison, returned to Evin prison, ward 350, on April 20, 2011

45. Alireza Firouzi, Zanjan University student, journalist, human rights activist, arrested several times, last on January 2, 2010, sentenced to 6 months in prison after appeal, started sentence on May 27, 2011

46. Dr. Rahman Ghahremanpour, editor of Diplomatic Hamshahri monthly and professor of International Relations, arrested on June 3, 2011, held in Evin prison, sentenced to 3.3 years of suspended imprisonment, denied medical vacation or parole on 23 April 2013

47. Saeed Moghanli, Azeri journalist, poet and civic activist, arrested after raid against father’s home on June 8, 2011

48. Zahra Yazdani, journalist for Asr-e Eghtesad, arrested at home on June 21, 2011, no further news

Zahra Yazdani

49. Kamal Sharifi, Kurd political activist and journalist, arrested in 2008, sentenced to 30 years in prison, exiled to Hormozgan Province, transferred to hospital in Minab Prison after a four weeks hunger strike on June 28, 2011

50. Alireza Beheshti Shirazi, Kalameh Sabz, arrested December 23, 2009, released on bail October 30, 2010, summoned to Evin prison on 12 July 2011 to serve 5 years sentence

51. Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, head of Iranian Journalists Association, sentenced to 16 months in prison: December 10, 2010, released on bail, summoned to Evin prison on July 19, 2011 to serve sentence

52. Ali Kalaei, blogger and political and civil rights activist, summoned to Evin prison to serve his 7 years sentence on 25 July 2011

53. Saeed Jalalifar, Committee of Human Rights Reporters, arrested December 2, 2009, released on bail March 2010, rearrested on July 31, 2011, sentenced to 3 years in prison on 29 August 2011

54. Reza Entesari, photojournalist for Majzooban Noor website linked to Gonabadi dervishes, arrested on 5 September 2011, held in Evin prison ward 209, still held in Evin being unable to pay the bail on 14 November 2011, sentenced to 8.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013

55. Hamid-Reza Moradi-Sarvestani, employee of Majzooban Noor website, linked to Gonabadi dervishes, suffering from heart problems, arrested on 5 September 2011, transferred to Taleghani hospital on 13 June 2012, apparently severely beaten in Evin prison end of January 2013, sentenced to 10.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013

Hamid-Reza Moradi Sarvestani

56. Hadi Ahmadi, reporter to official news agency ISNA, arrested on September 22, 2011

57. Mehrdad Sarjouyi, reporter English-language dailies published in Iran, arrested at his home more than two months ago as reported on September 25, 2011

58. Ali Dini Torkamani, writer and economist who contributes to the online magazine Alborznet, arrested between 1 August and 27 September without any official reason being given

Ali Dini Torkamani

59. Ali Nazamolmolki, ISNA reporter in Shiraz, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011

60. Farzad Sadri, ISNA reporter in Shiraz, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011

61. Saeid Nazari, ISNA reporter in Shiraz, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011

62. Hakhamanesh Younesi, ISNA reporter in Shiraz aged under 18, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011

63. Hamed Yari, reporter to Markaz-e Khabar, arrested in September or October 2011, allegedly kept in solitary in ward 209 of Evin prison without charges, no further details available

64. Bahar Alinia, blogger, student and political activist, abducted after leaving home in the week before December 3, 2011, no data on whereabouts available

65. Hamid Moazeni, journalist and author from Bushehr, Mehdi Karroubi’s campaigner, recent articles published on Rooz Online, arrested on September 27, 2011, released on bail on October 10, 2011, rearrested on December 24, 2011

66. Mohammad Solimaninya, head of u24, a social networking website for Iranian professionals, summoned before a revolutionary tribunal in Karaj on January 10, 2012, arrested on January 20, 2012

67. Mohammad Reza Pourshajari (Siamak Mehr), blogger who has been held since September 12, 2010, tried by a revolutionary court in Karaj on December 21, 2011 on a charge of insulting the Prophet in articles posted on his blog and in letters sent to government officials while he was in prison, sentenced to an additional year in prison, i.e. a total of 4 years, on May 7, 2012

68. Peyman Pakmehr, journalist to Tabriz News, arrested in Tabriz on January 17, 2012, held in Evin ward 209, first contact with family on January 18, 2012

69. Mehdi Konjareh, blogger and freelance journalist, arrested in Tehran on February 2, 2012, current whereabouts unknown

70. Mohammad Hossein Zakeri, political editor of 9th Dey weekly headed by Ahmadinejad supporter and MP Hamid Rasaei, arrested in Tehran on February 21, 2012

71. Tahmineh Monzavi, freelance photo-journalist, arrested on unknown charges in Tehran on February 18, 2012

Tahmineh Monzavi

72. Narges Mohammadi, journalist, speaker of Defenders of Human Rights Center, arrested June 10, 2010, released to hospital on July 1, 2010, sentenced to 11 years in prison on September 27, 2011, awarded the Swedish Per Anger prize on October 25, 2011, sentence reduced to 6 years in prison on February 14, 2012, summoned to Evin prison to serve sentence on April 21, 2012, transferred to Evin clinic after nervous paralysis, transferred to Zanjan prison on May 17, 2012, temporarily released for medical care on 30 July 2012

Narges Mohammadi

73. Sam Mahmoudi Sarabi, photojournalist to Shargh newspaper, arrested at the end of 2009, released on bail 10 February 2010, rearrested February 14, 2011, transferred to Evin Ward 350 after 1 month in solitary confinement on March 28, 2011, released on a bail of 300,000 dollars on August 13, 2011, rearrested on 28 May 2012 over bail problem, appeal court confirmed sentence of 8 years in prison and 10 years occupational ban on October 7, 2012

74. Nasour Naghipour, journalist, arrested in 2009 for designing HRANA website, rearrested March 2, 2010, released before court on June 21, 2010, sentenced to 7 years in prison on January 8, 2011, rearrested in Qazvin to serve 7 years sentence in Evin prison on 10 July, 2012

Nasour Naghipour

75. Amir Hassan Sagha, owner of „Hamzeh“ blog, arrested for criticising the Larijani brothers on July 16, 2012

76. Navid Khanjani, human rights reporter, arrested 2 March 2010, released on bail 3 May 2011, sentenced to 12 years prison 31 January 2011, rearrested when helping earthquake victims in Eastern Azerbaijan province on August 22, 2012, transferred to Tabriz prison ward 1, has launched a hunger strike

77. Seyed Hossein Ronaghi Maleki (Babak Khorramdin), freelance, arrested on December 13, 2009, sentenced to 15 years in prison, released on $500.000 bail on July 2, 2012, rearrested when helping earthquake victims in Eastern Azerbaijan province on August 22, 2012, transferred to Tabriz prison ward 1, has started hunger strike, released on medical furlough, returns to Evin prison on 20 May 2013

Hossein Ronaghi Maleki

78. Ahmad Nourmohammadi Abadchi, blogger, arrested in Ahwaz on August 30, 2012, transferred to Isfahan prison 

79. Kaveh Taheri, blogger and journalist, arrested by Revolutionary Guards at his office in Shiraz on September 2, 2012, held in IRGC detention center 100 and transferred to Adelabad prison after 53 days, no complaint lodged against him, no access to lawyer on January 31, 2013

80. Ali Ranjbar, blogger and translator, arrested on September 16, 2012 without reason, no news since

81. Hamid-Reza Abdollahi, blogger and translator, arrested on September 18, 2012 without reason, no news since

82. Abdolnaser Mahimani, journalist, head of the Gorgan House of Press, arrested February 12, 2011, released on bail February 19, 2011, rearrested on September 25, 2012 during a raid on the house of his son in Tehran

83. Shiva Nazar Ahari, Committee of Human Rights Reporters, arrested December 20, 2009, released on bail September 12, 2010, summoned to Evin prison to serve out sentence of 4 years on August 20, 2012, released on bail, rearrested on September 12, 2012

84. Saeid Haeri, political and civil rights activist, Committee for Human Rights Reporters, released on bail, sentenced to 2 years in prison, on furlough January 20, 2011, sent to Evin to serve his sentence on 12 December 2012

85. Rahim Sarkar, chief editor of Hadith-e Qazvin weekly (banned for 5th time), arrested on December 25, 2012

بر اساس آخرین گزارش ها، هم اکنون ساسان آقایی، نسرین تخیری، جواد دلیری و امیلی امرایی، همکاران روزنامه‌اعتماد، مطهره شفیعی، نرگس جودکی و صبا آذرپیک از روزنامه آرمان، پوریا عالمی و پژمان موسوی از روزنامه شرق و اکبر منتجبی از هفته‌نامه آسمان، میلاد فدایی اصل روزنامه‌نگار خبرگزاری ایلنا و سلیمان محمدی روزنامه‌نگار روزنامه‌ی بهار در محل کار و منزل خود بازداشت شده اند.

86. Hossein Yaghchi, member of Aseman Weekly’s editorial board, arrested on January 28, 2013

87. Mehdi Abdollahi Tajik, journalist, first arrest in 2006, sentenced to 2.5 years prison and 30 years ban on journalism, sentence reduced by appeals to 6 months + fine, second arrest on December 27, 2009 (Ashura), released on bail on March 2010, summoned to serve his sentence while still awaiting appeal on December 15, 2010; on appeal, sentence reduced to 2 years and 15 year ban on journalism, went to Evin to serve his sentence on February 12, 2013

Khosrow Kordpour and Ghasem Ahmadi

88. Khosrow Kordpour, head of Kurdish Moukerian News Agency, arrested in Mahabad for spreading news on human rights issues on 7 March 2013, has gone on hunger strike on 19 April 2013, transferred to central Mahabad prison on 1 July 2013

89. Ghasem Ahmadi, editor in chief of Kurdish Roje monthly, arrested in Mahabad on 7 March 2013

90. Masoud Kordpour, Kurdish journalist, arrested while inquiring the situation of his arrested brother Khosrow Kordpour at the Intelligence Office of Mahabad on 9 March 2013, transferred to central Mahabad prison on 1 July 2013

91. Badri Safiari, student, owner of the Sufi blog, arrested at Shiraz University, her computer and other documents were seized in a raid on her father’s home on 6 March 2013

92. Mojtaba Daneshtalab, blogger supporting Khamenei, starts 6 months prison term in Evin for „insulting“ the Supreme Leader on 10 April 2013

Blogger Pouria Farazmand

93. Pouria Farazmand, blogger, student, and writer for the blog Azadi Baraye Hamegan (freedom for all) from Kermanshah, violently arrested while leaving university on 7 April 2013

94. Yaghoub Khezri, Kurdish journalist, teacher and blogger, arrested on 13 June 2012, released on bail, starts 1 year prison term in Mahabad prison on 27 April 2013

95. Fatemeh Mahdiani, chief editor of ILNA labor news agency, summoned by Evin prison authorities in May 2013 ahead of presidential elections

96. Omid Abdolwahabi, reporter to Reform News website, Mardomsalari daily, arrested on 4 June 2013

97. Hesamedin Eslamlou, cultural editor to Pasargad magazine, arrested in Sirjan on 10 June 2013, transferred to Kerman, no further details

98. Mostafa Daneshjoo, lawyer and webmaster of Gonabadi dervishes news website Majzooban-e-Noor, arrested in 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013

99. Farshid Yadollahi Farsi, lawyer and webmaster of Gonabadi dervishes news website Majzooban-e-Noor, arrested in 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013

100. Amir Eslami, lawyer and webmaster of Gonabadi dervishes news website Majzooban-e-Noor, arrested in 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013

101. Omid Behrouzi, lawyer and webmaster of Gonabadi dervishes news website Majzooban-e-Noor, arrested in 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013

102. Afshin Karampour, lawyer and webmaster of Gonabadi dervishes news website Majzooban-e-Noor, arrested in 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013

103. Peyman Samadi, student and blogger, first arrested in 2009, released on bail, sentenced to 4 years in prison, 3 years of which suspended, summoned to serve sentence in Evin prison in February 2013

104. Majid Mohammadi Moein, reporter to Bayan weekly, Salam daily, arrested on 9 April 2012, sentenced to 4 years in prison, denied furlough to visit ill mother on 13 September 2013

105. Ahmadreza Najdad, dissident writer and blogger, arrested while leaving Iran on 19 September 2013

106. Mehrdad Farmani, blogger and student activist, arrested in dormitory of Shiraz University on 29 September 2013

107. Ehsan Moulavifar, blogger and student activist, arrested in dormitory of Shiraz University on 29 September 2013

Released on bail or sentenced to prison

1. Mehraneh Atashi, freelance photojournalist, artist, arrested January 11, 2010, released on bail

2. Behzad Mehrani, journalist, blogger, human rights activist, arrested March 3, 2010, released on bail April 16, 2010

3. Somayeh Momeni, journalist to Nasim-e Bidari, arrested February 7, 2010, released on bail March 13, 2010

4. Mehdi Yazdani Khorram, journalist to Etemad-e Melli, Shargh, Hammihan, Kargozaran, transferred to hospital in December 2009

5. Azam Veysameh (Vismeh), journalist to Shargh, ILNA, Irandokht, Shahrvand, arrested May 31, 2010, released on bail July 21, 2010

6. Hamed Saber, photojournalist, arrested June 21, 2010, released on bail August 8, 2010

7. Amirhadi Anvari, journalist, Shargh, arrested December 9, 2010, released on bail December 15, 2010

8. Hadi Heydari, cartoonist, arts editor of Etemad-e Melli, first arrested 23 October 2009, rearrested December 19, 2010, released on bail December 27, 2010

9. Ahmad Gholami, deputy chief editor of Shargh, arrested December 7, 2010, released on bail December 29, 2010

10. Ali Anjam-Rouz, journalist for  Gilan, arrested February 27, 2010; released on bail May 7, 2010; court date September 27, 2010

11. Omid Montazeri, freelance, arrested December 30, 2009, released on bail April 5, 2010

12. Mojtaba Lotfi, freelance, cleric, arrested October 8, 2008, released and sent to Ashtian for 10 years in exile on July 9, 2010

13. Keyvan Farzin, music critic for journal Farhang va Ahang, arrested January 2010, released on bail March 2010

14. Nooshin Jafari, Etemad, arrested February 3, 2010, released on bail March 3, 2010

Nooshin Jafari

15. Farshad Azizi, Atrak, Mashhad, arrested January 7, 2010, released on bail January 14, 2010

16. Mehdi Gilani, Atrak, Mashhad, arrested January 6, 2010, released on bail January 14, 2010

17. Kaveh Ghassemi Kermanshahi, arrested February 3, 2010, released on bail May 23, 2010, sentence reduced to 4 years in prison on March 16, 2011

18. Kambiz Nouruzi, head of Association of Iranian Journalists, arrested June 28, 2009, sentenced to 1 year in prison

19. Mahboubeh Khansari, journalist, Kaleme Sabz, Hammihan and Shargh, arrested May 31, 2010, released on bail June 28, 2010

20. Mirhamid Hassanzadeh, editor of Ghalam News website, arrested August 4, 2009, released on bail August 16, 2009

21. Mehrdad Rahimi, freelance and blogger, arrested January 1, 2010, released on bail March 8, 2010

22. Ramin Jabbari, blogger and journalist, Bayram, Nedaye Moghan, Yashil Moghan, arrested May 17, 2010, released on bail May 28, 2010

23. Mostafa Jamshidi, journalist, editorial staff of Yashil Moghan and Nedaye Moghan, arrested May 18, 2010, released on bail May 19, 2010

24. Mostafa Kazzazi, journalist, editor of Seda-ye Edalat, sentenced to 11 months in prison July 28, 2010, assumed to be free pending appeal

25. Majid Saeedi, photojournalist, Tehran, arrested June 30, 2009,  released on bail, eventually in 2009, sentenced to 3 years in prison

26. Rahim Gholami, Ardebil, freelance, arrested April 11, 2008, reduced sentence of 1 year in prison October 28, 2009, released on bail December 29, 2010

27. Badrossadat Mofidi, Iranian Journalists Association, arrested December 29, 2009, released on bail June 6, 2010, sentenced to 6 years in prison, 5 years occupational ban August 3, 2010

Badrossadat Mofidi

28. Behzad Basho, journalist and cartoonist, arrested June 2009, released on bail June 26, 2009

29. Heydar Karimi, journalist, Khoy, arrested June 9, 2010, released on bail October 21, 2010

30. Khalil Darmanki, Asr Azadegan, Shargh, Etemad-e Melli, arrested December 27, 2009, released on bail May 17, 2010

31. Mahmoud Mahmoudi, journalist, workers rights activist, Sanandaj, arrested December 26, 2010, released on bail January 6, 2011

32. Mohammad Atrianfar, journalist, leading member of Kargozaran Sazandegi party, arrested June 16, 2009, released on bail November 24, 2009

33. Mohammad Ghaznavian, journalist, arrested January 9, 2010, released on bail April 14, 2010, 5 year sentence reduced to 6 months on appeal January 7, 2011

34. Mohammad Ghouchani, journalist and editor in charge of Etemad-e Melli, Rasht, arrested June 18, 2009, released on bail October 30, 2009

35. Mehdi Zaboli, photographer with newspaper Hamshahri, arrested on 20 June 2009, released on bail 5 July 2009

36. Reza Nourbakhsh, Farhikhtegan, arrested August 4, 2009 , sentenced to 6 years in prison on 3 November 2009, sentence reduced to 3 years on appeal, released on bail 2 March 2010

37. Mostafa Izadi, Etemad-e Melli, arrested December 28, 2009, released on bail 1 February 2010

38. Pourya Mousavi, journalist, public relations director to Aeen journal, student activist, arrested 17 January 2011, released on bail 31 January 2011

39. Saeed Laylaz, editor of Sarmayeh, arrested June 17, 2009, sentenced to 15 years in prison, reduced to 6 years on appeal November 2009, released on leave April 2010

40. Zeynab Kazemkhah, ISNA, arrested February 7, 2010, released on bail March 7, 2010, sentenced to 5 years in prison November 22, 2010

41. Navid Mohebbi, freelance, arrested September 18, 2010, sentenced to 3 years in prison, suspended for 5 years, released on bail on December 25, 2010

42. Maziar Khosravi, former editor of Aftab News, now journalist to Shargh, arrested February 11, 2011, released on bail February 24, 2011

43. Mohammad Hossein Mahimani, law student and photojournalist, Gorgan, arrested February 11, 2011, on hunger strike, released February 27, 2011

44. Peyman Roshanzamir, blogger, Ahvaz, editor of Haft-e Tir website, arrested January 3, 2011, released on bail from Karoon prison March 1, 2011, refuses to defend himself in court in protest of unjust proceedings, May 14, 2011

45. Farhad Baghbani, journalist, member of Pan-Iranist party, arrested for several days on February 26, 2010; summoned to Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on  June 29, 2010; charged with party propaganda in court of Ahvaz on April 4, 2011

46. Mohammad Nourizad, freelance, Keyhan, arrested December 20, 2009, sentenced to 3.5 years in prison and 50 lashes, released on bail June 23, 2010, return to Evin August 2010, temporarily released after surgery on February 24, 2011, returned to Evin prison February 27, 2011, released on May 5, 2011

47. Younes Soleimani, Bu Ali Sina student (Hamadan), journalist, arrested on 17 June 2010, suffered heart problems after being tortured by electric shocks in the detention center of the Intelligence Ministry in Tabriz on 31 Aug 2010, expelled from university in February 2011, released on bail in November 2010, sentenced to 6 months in prison on 21 May 2011

48. Yaser Masoumi, technical expert for reformist newspapers Shargh, Sarmayeh and Bahar, arrested a few months after June 2009, released on bail after 70 days in Evin prison, appeals court approved sentence of 5 years in prison on 21 May 2011

49. Shiva Kamalipour Azad, journalist, member of Confederation of Iranian Students (CIS), arrested on 26 April 2011, released on bail on 25 May 2011

50. Farid Salavati, journalist, social and political activist who first reported on a gang rape in Khomeinishahr, arrested after raid on his home in Isfahan on June 11, 2011, temporarily released on June 20, 2011

51. Maryam Majd, photojournalist for Zanan and Tamasha magazines, apparently arrested at her father’s home in Tehran on June 16, 2011, released on bail on July 16, 2011

52. Hengameh Shahidi, journalist and women’s rights activist, second arrest February 25, 2010, sentenced to 6.25 years in prison, temporarily released on June 19, 2011, still on temporary leave in January 2013

Hengameh Shahid in Evin prison

53. Faranak Farid, writer and translator who contributes to the Feminist School website, arrested on 3 September 2011 in the northwestern city of Tabriz

54. Mohammad Heydari, journalist and member of the National Religious party, contributed to reformist newspapers Khordad, Yas Nou, Shargh, and Nowrooz, arrested at his home in Tehran on October 5, 2011, released on bail on October 29, 2011

55. Mehdi Afshar-Nik, journalist for reformist Etemad-e Melli daily, arrested at his home in Tehran on October 5, 2011, released on bail on October 29, 2011

56. Ali Akrami, editor of the Sheydagooyi blog, member of the National Religious party, arrested in Tehran on October 5, 2011, released on bail on October 29, 2011

57. Saeed Saedi, Kurd journalist from Sanandaj, arrested 26 December 2010, reported as still detained by Amnesty on 6 January 2011, released on bail in March 2011, sentenced to 3 years in prison on November 10, 2011

Saeed Saedi

58. Davood Khodakarami, journalist and human rights activist, arrested by Intelligence forces in Zanjan on November 18, 2011, temporarily released on bail on December 4, 2011

59. Rojin Mohammadi, blogger, medical student, arrested after returning to Iran, transferred to Evin prison on November 23, 2011, heavily tortured in prison, released on $200,000 bail on 6 December 2011

60. Amir Ali Allamehzadeh, journalist working for the official Iranian news agency ILNA, arrested on September 24, 2011 without official charges, no news about whereabouts after 3 weeks, allegedly held in ward 2 A of Evin prison run by the intelligence service, released on bail on December 21, 2011

61. Hassan Fathi, journalist, arrested for „cooperating with BBC Persian“ on November 12, 2011, released on bail on January 30, 2012

62. Fatemeh Kheradmand, journpalist and wife of sentenced journalist Masoud Lavasani, arrested during a raid on her home in Tehran, transferred to Evin prison on January 7, 2012, released on bail on February 1, 2012, sentenced to 1 year in prison on 3 July 2013

63. Simin Nematollahi, contributer to the pro-Sufi website Majzooban Noor (www.majzooban.org), arrested at her Tehran home by intelligence ministry officials on 11 January 2012 on a charge of anti-government propaganda, released on bail on February 5, 2012

64. Saeed Razavi Faghieh, journalist, former member of Tahkim Vahdat students‘ organisation, worked for Sobhe Emrooz, Bahar, Yas, and Vaghayeh Ettefaghieh dailies, arrested at Tehran airport when leaving the country, transferred to Evin prison on January 18, 2012, released on February 9, 2012

65. Parastou Dokouhaki, journalist, researcher and translator, cooperated with Shariati Foundation, in need of medical care, arrested at home in Tehran on January 16, 2012, first meeting with her family on February 8, 2012, released on bail on February 26, 2012

Marzieh Rasooli, Sahamedin Bourghani, Parastou Dokouhaki

66. Marzieh Rasooli, journalist specialised on literature and music, Shargh, Etemaad, arrested at her home in Tehran on January 17, 2012, released on bail on February 27, 2012

67. Nama Jafari, poet and blogger, editor of the 35anj website, arrested by security forces in Tehran on February 14, 2012 (25 Bahman), released on bail on 27 February, 2012

68. Sahamedin Bourghani, photographer and journalist, Shargh, Etemad, arrested in Tehran on January 18, 2012, released on bail on February 27, 2012

69. Ali Mousavi Khalkhali, journalist and translator, Iran Diplomacy, arrested in Tehran on February 24, 2012, released on bail on March 20, 2012

70. Davood Bahman-Abadi, blogger, released on bail on April 10, 2012, after spending 140 days in Evin prison ward 2 A

71. Ehsan Houshmand, Kurdish sociologist and journalist, supporter of National Religious Movement, arrested during raid on his home in Tehran, transferred to unknown location on January 7, 2012, released on bail on April 25, 2012, suffers ear and jaw problems because of torture

72. Meysam Mohammadi, journalist, manager of Shahid Beheshti website, sentenced to 4 years in prison and a 5-year ban from print or online journalism on May 6, 2012

73. Reza Jelodarzadeh, editor-in-chief of banned Sobh-e Azadi magazine, arrested in Tehran on February 4, 2012, released, sentenced to 1 year in prison on May 22, 2012

74. Ahmad Shariat, owner of „Nedaie qalb“ blog, arrested for criticising the Larijani brothers on July 21, 2012, imprisoned on July 22, 2012 because unable to pay bail of 100 million Toman, bail furnished since but still waiting for final ruling as of July 30, 2012, released on bail on August 8, 2012

75. Ali Moslehi, journalist, runs the website Kashan News, contributor to the Jaras site, arrested in the street on July 4, 2012. The reason for his detention and his whereabouts are not known, released on bail on August 30, 2012

76. Mehdi Rahmanian, managing director of Shargh daily, arrested in Tehran after confiscation of daily, sent to Evin prison on September 26, 2012, released on bail on September 30, 2012

77. Sima Didar, Azeri journalist and civil activist, sentenced to 6 months in prison, arrested in Tabriz, when fetching her identity cards in Saeb prison on April 16, 2011, transferred to Tabriz prison on April 18, 2011, assumed released at end of sentence

78. Arash Azrahimi, photojournalist in Babolsar district, arrested on Ashura 2009, sentenced to 1 year in prison for „propaganda against regime“ on August 7, 2011, released on bail

79. Mohammad Kimyaei, journalist to Hadith-e Qazvin weekly (banned for 5th time), arrested after raid on his home in Qazvin on January 1, 2013, released on bail on January 17, 2013

80. Farshad Aswad, journalist of banned Khordad daily, human rights activist arrested at Tehran airport before leaving Iran around 20 May 2012, released  on bail in June 2012

81. Motahareh Shafiee, journalist to Arman daily, arrested during a raid on her office on January 27, 2013, released on January 28, 2013

82. Ali Dehghan, journalist, worked for reformist newspapers Shargh, Etemad and Bahar, also for the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA). arrested on January 30, 2013, released according to Kaleme, no further details given

83. Fatemeh Sagharchi, editor at the Jamaran website, former head of the Strategic Research Library, arrested on January 26, 2013 at her home, held incommunicado in section 209 of Evin Prison, released on bail of 120 million Toman on February 16, 2013

84. Javad Daliri, editor-in-chief of Etemaad daily, arrested during a raid on his office on January 27, 2013, released on bail of 100 million Toman on February 18, 2013

85. Keyvan Mehregan, former politics editor of banned daily Etemade Melli, Shargh editor, sentenced to 3 years in prison, second arrest on December 7, 2010, released on bail January 17, 2011, rearrested on January 28, 2013, released on bail on February 23, 2013

86. Emili Amraee, reporter to Eteemad daily, arrested during a raid on her office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on February 24, 2013

87. Narges Joudaki, reporter to Arman daily, arrested during a raid on her office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on February 24, 2013

Milad Fadai Asl, ILNA

88. Akbar Montajebi, editor-in-chief of Aseman Weekly, arrested during a raid on his office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on February 25, 2013

89. Reyhaneh Tabatabai, Shargh, Chelcheragh, arrested December 12, 2010, released on bail January 16, 2011, rearrested on December 13, 2011, sentenced to 1 year in prison for „defending free press and elections“ on April 1, 2012, released on bail in 2012, rearrested at home on January 31, 2013, released on bail of 200 million Toman on February 25, 2013

90. Milad Fadai-Asl, journalist to ILNA news agency, arrested after raid on his home in Tehran on January 26, 2013, released on bail on February 27, 2013

91. Pourya Alemi, reporter to Shargh daily, arrested during a raid on his office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on February 27, 2013

92. Soleiman Mohammadi, reporter to Bahar, Shargh, Etemad, Hamshari, Donya ye Eghtesad, arrested after raid on his home in Tehran on 26 January 2013, released on bail on 2 March 2013

93. Pejman Mousavi, reporter to Shargh daily, arrested during a raid on his office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on 2 March 2013

94. Sassan Aghaei, journalist to Eteemad daily, arrested November 22, 2009, released on bail March 28, 2010, arrested during a raid on his office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on 5 March 2013

95. Nasrin Takhayori, reporter to Eteemad daily, arrested during a raid on her office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on 5 March 2013

96. Saba Azarpeik, reporter to Arman daily, arrested during a raid on her home on January 27, 2013, released on bail on 5 March 2013

97. Mehdi Emami Naseri, editor in chief of banned reformist daily Maghreb, arrested on September 30, 2012, transferred to Evin prison along with 3 other staff members, all of them still imprisoned on October 9, 2012, released on January 28, 2013, because of health condition, rearrested at his office on 6 March 2013, released after 24 hours on 7 March 2013

98. Alireza Aghaee-Rad, political editor of reformist daily Maghreb, arrested at his office on 6 March 2013, released after 24 hours on 7 March 2013

99. Ehsan Mazanderani, reporter to Etemaad daily, arrested on February 20, 2013, released on 10 March 2013

100. Abbas Darvish Tavangar, deputy editor of hard-line Tasnim News, arrested after complaint by government on 11 March 2013, released after few hours as reported by Mehr News

101. Mohammad Javad-Rouh, editor of Mehrnameh, arrested after raid on his home in Tehran on 3 March 2013, released on bail on 16 March 2013

102. Reza Akvanian, blogger and poet, arrested during a raid on his home on 24 March 2013, first visit after arrest on 6 April 2013, his relatives report on bruises, apparently from physical mistreatment, released on bail on 10 April 2013

103. Mehdi Khazali, editor of Hayan, arrested June 29, 2009, released on bail, rearrested for the second time on July 18, 2011 and transferred to Evin, started hunger strike, first call since arrest from ward 209 on August 3, 2011, released on August 27, 2011, violently beaten and rearrested, transferred to Evin prison on January 9, 2012, on hunger strike, transferred to Evin clinic on February 2, 2012 due to stomach bleeding caused by his hunger strike, transferred to Taleghani hospital because of a heart attack, abducted and transferred to Ghamar Bani Hashem hospital affiliated with the Intelligence Ministry on February 18, 2012, released on bail on March 19, 2012 after 70 days on hunger strike, rearrested, transferred to Evin prison, on 64th day of hunger strike on 3 March 2013, ends hunger strike on 19 May 2013 according to his son, released on bail on 4 June 2013, sentenced to 6 years in prison for security charges on 8 October 2013

104. Fariba Pajouh, reformist journalist, arrested after presidential elections in 2009, spent 124 days in jail, sentenced to 1 year in prison, sentence halted for 5 years, rearrested at her home in Tehran, transferred to Evin prison on 10 July 2013, released on bail on 27 July 2013

105. Ahmad Asgari, journalist and student activist, arrested in Tehran on 20 June 2013, released on bail on 8 October 2013

106. Mostafa Faghihi, manager of pro-Rouhani website Entekhab, arrested on 7 October 2013, released on bail on 8 October 2013

Sentenced journalists who have left Iran, asylum seekers in Turkey (incomplete)

1. Ali Moazzami, Shargh, arrested March 8, 2010, released March 19, 2010, has fled Iran

2. Taghi Rahmani, freelance journalist and Mehdi Karroubi’s advisor, arrested February 9, 2011, left Iran in April 2012, exile in France

3. Abdolreza Tajik, journalist and human rights activist, third arrest June 11, 2010, released on bail December 22, 2010, sentenced to 6 years in prison March 12, 2011, judiciary confiscates bail of 500 M Toman after he has left Iran

4. Saeed Massoud Lavasani, journalist and blogger, arrested September 26, 2009, sentenced to 6 years in prison, 10 years occupational ban, released on bail on July 16, 2011, left Iran after release in 2011

5. Hamid Mafi, reporter to Farhang-e Ashti, Etemad-e Melli, Kargozaran, arrested February 9, 2010, released on bail February 22, 2010, sentenced to 5 years in prison September 16, 2010, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012

6. Ehsan Mehrabi, parliamentary journalist, Hambasteghi, Tose’, Etemad Melli and Farhikhtegan Ghalam, arrested in early 2010, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012

7. Hadi Nili, journalist, has spent the past two years in Turkey as an asylum seeker, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012

8. Behrooz Samadbeygi, journalist, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012

9. Mahdi Tajik Ghashghaei, journalist, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012

10. Saeed Heydarpour, journalist, blogger, arrested 10 October 2010, sentenced to 5 years prison suspended for 5 years on 5 December 2010, now in exile

11. Farzaneh Roustaie, editorial staff Shargh, arrested December 7, 2010, released on bail January 17, 2011, has left Iran

12. Mansoureh Shojai, freelance, feminist websites, arrested December 29, 2009, released on bail January 29, 2010, has left Iran, now lives in Germany

13. Kouhyar Goudarzi, veteran journalist for the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, arrested and sent to Evin December 20, 2009, sentenced to 1 year in prison on June, 2, 2010, released after serving 1 year sentence on December 15, 2010, rearrested in Tehran, his mother Parvin Mokhtare arrested in Kerman on August 6, 2011, transferred to Evin prison ward 209 after 3 months in solitary confinement, released on bail, has left Iran for a safe place as reported on 18 March 2013

 

Internetfreiheit global: Iran auf letztem Platz

Während der neue iranische Präsident Hassan Rouhani und sein Außenminister munter politische Statements via Twitter und Facebook verbreiten, hat die amerikanische NGO „Freedom House“ gerade ihren Bericht zur globalen Netzfreiheit für 2013 veröffentlicht: Rouhanis geliebte Islamische Republik belegt dabei den ersten Platz – natürlich von hinten!

Grund für diesen zweifelhaften Erfolg: die Islamische Republik erfüllt die 10 wichtigsten Kriterien vorbildlich.

1. Blockieren und Filtern unerwünschter Websites: Social Media wie Twitter und Facebook sind seit den Protesten der Grünen Bewegung gegen den Wahlbetrug von 2009 blockiert, hinzu kommen die meisten persischsprachigen News-Websites im Ausland wie DW Persian, Radio Farda, BBC Persian oder Radio France International, um nur die wichtigsten zu nennen. Bei kritischen Artikeln, Karikaturen oder Daten zu Devisenkursen trifft es auch iranische Online-Medien wie zuletzt Shargh (Reformer), Tabnak (Hardliner) und Mesghal.

Karikatur zu Protesten der Grünen Bewegung von 2009

2. Cyberattacken gegen Regimekritiker: In den vergangenen vier Jahren haben sich die Netzattacken verschärft. Oppositionelle Websites wie Jaras, Saham News, Shahrzad News (Frauenrechte), Daneshjou News (Studenten), aber auch die privaten Blogs von Mohsen Sazegara (USA) oder Mohammad Nourizad in Iran wurden zig Mal von der Cyberarmee der Revolutionswächter lahmgelegt.

3. Neue Gesetze und Verhaftungen: Im Februar 2013 wurde die Umgehung von Internetzensur in Iran unter Strafe gestellt.  Derzeit sind mindestens 29 iranische Blogger in Haft, allen voran der Menschenrechtsaktivist Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, der unter Folter eine Niere verlor und dem die medizinische Behandlung wieder verweigert wird.

4. Bezahlte Regime-Kommentatoren: Dieser Punkt entfällt, d.h. er wird weitestgehend durch radikale News-Websites der Revolutionsgarden wie Fars News oder Press TV erfüllt, die ihre Propaganda und Hetze gegen Regimekritiker weltweit und  ungehindert verbreiten dürfen. Besonders dreist sind gefakte Websites, mit denen beispielsweise gegen Exil-Journalisten des BBC gehetzt wird.

5. Tätliche Übergriffe und Mord: Der Foltertod des Bloggers Sattar Beheshti im Gefängnis von Evin markiert den Höhepunkt einer Welle brutaler Verhaftungen iranischer Netizens nach der Verhängung schärferer Gesetze gegen sogenannte „Internetverbrechen“.

Sattar Beheshti mit Mutter

6. Internet-Überwachung: Spiegel Online brachte die Methoden der Cyberpolizei Fatta im Dezember 2012 auf den Punkt: Überwachen, zensieren, totschlagen. Schon vorher wurde bekannt, dass das iranische Regime Monitoring-Software von Siemens Nokia zur Überwachung einsetzt. Was der Bericht verschweigt: die iranische Telekom ist Eigentum der Revolutionsgarden. Das ist ungefähr so, als sei der MAD Im Besitz sämtlicher deutscher Telekomfirmen.

7. Abschalten und Löschen von Websites: Verlässliche Daten über gelöschte Websites in Iran liegen nicht vor – zu groß die Zahl von abgeschalteten Nachrichten-Magazinen, Blogs oder sonstigen Websites. Nach 2009 wurden massenweise Blogs des iranischen Providers Persian Blog gelöscht, und das Abschalten kritischer Websites hält an.

8. Blockade von Social Media und Kommunikation-Apps: Facebook und Twitter sind in Iran sowieso gesperrt. Im Zuge der Einführung des nationalen Intranets blockierte das iranische Regime im März 2013 auch noch die relativ sicheren VPN-Verbindungen.

9. Strafverfolgung von Providern, Software-Designern etc.: Gegen den iranisch-kanadischen Webentwickler Saeed Malekpour wurde die Todesstrafe verhängt, angeblich wegen Verbreitung von „Porno-Websites“. Obwohl das Todesurteil inzwischen aufgehoben wurde, bleibt er wie mehrere andere Manager oder Finanziers von Online-Content in Haft.

10. Drosseln und Abschalten: Im Juni bestätigte der iranische Minister für Kommunikation die gedrosselte Internetgeschwindigkeit während der Präsidentschaftswahlen – aus Sicherheitsgründen. Aber auch sonst bewegen sich iranische User im Schneckentempo durchs Netz, wie diese Karikatur zeigt. DSL und dergleichen sind Behörden vorbehalten, Normalverbraucher erreichen nicht einmal vorsintflutliche Geschwindigkeiten von 156 KB.

Internet in Iran

Das 11. Kriterium, das in diesem Bericht gar nicht erwähnt wird, ist die Einführung eines nationalen Internets, sprich Intranets, mit dessen Hilfe Iran vom World Wide Web abgeschottet werden soll. Es bleibt abzuwarten, ob Rouhani nicht nur diesen absurden Plan aufgibt, sondern wie kürzlich versprochen, der iranischen Bevölkerung problemlosen Zugang zu „allen Informationen weltweit“ verschaffen wird. 

 

Iran lässt 16 politische Gefangene frei – Tauwetter oder Taktik?

Ohne Vorankündigung hat die Islamische Republik 16 politische Gefangene mit teils langjährigen Haftstrafen freigelassen, darunter 7 Frauen. Größtes Aufsehen erregte die Freilassung der Menschenrechtsanwältin Nasrin Sotoudeh, verurteilt zu 11 Jahren Haft und 20 Jahren Berufsverbot, die noch vor wenigen Monaten mit Hungerstreiks das Besuchsrecht für ihre minderjährigen Kinder erstreiten musste.

Nasrin Sotoudeh nach Freilassung mit Familie (Quelle: Facebook)

Auch Feizollah Arabsorkhi, ehemaliger Vize-Handelsminister des reformorientierten Präsidenten Khatami, sowie dessen Vizeaußenminister Mohsen Aminzadeh zählen zu den prominenten Freigelassenen. Der Politiker Mir Taher Moussavi wurde ebefalls im Verlauf der Proteste der Grünen Bewegung gegen den Wahlbetrug von 2009 verhaftet.

Feizollah Arabsorkhi mit Ehefrau (Quelle: Facebook)

Bisher wurden drei Journalisten aus der Haft befreit: Mahsa Amrabadi (ihr Ehemann Massoud Bastani, ebenfalls Journalist, ist noch im Gefängnis), Ahmad Zeidabadi, und Mehdi Mahmoudian. Ihr Kollege Issa Saharkhiz bleibt, entgegen anfänglichen Nachrichten, weiter inhaftiert. Ebenso wie 106 weitere iranische Journalisten und Blogger, die nur aufgrund der Verbreitung unliebsamer Nachrichten in den Gefängnissen der Islamischen Republik ausharren müssen.

Einige der weiblichen Freigelassenen wie Farah Vazehan, Maryam Jalili, Mahboubeh Karami, Jila Makvandi und Nahid Malek-Mohammadi haben ihre Haftstrafen größtenteils verbüßt und kamen unter Auflagen frei.

Mahsa Amrabadi (u.re.) und 3 weitere Freigelassene

Nader Babaei, Hossein Zarrini und Mohammad Ali Velayati vervollständigen diese kurze Liste. Es fällt auf, dass keine Bahais, Gonabadi-Derwische, Kurden, Sunniten oder iranische Araber aus Ahwas freigelassen wurden. Manchen von ihnen droht die Todesstrafe. 

Rouhani hat sein Wahlversprechen, die politischen Gefangenen freizulassen, teilweise eingelöst. So kurz vor seinem ersten Auftritt vor der UN-Vollversammlung in New York ist dies natürlich als Geste des guten Willens zu verstehen, aber es genügt nicht. In Iran gibt es noch Hunderte von politischen Gefangenen, deren Haft strafrechtlich unbegründet ist. Auch die Oppositionsführer Mir Hossein Moussavi, Mehdi Karroubi und Zahra Rahnavard stehen seit über zwei Jahren ohne Anklage unter Hausarrest.

Es bleibt daher die Frage, ob diese plötzliche Nachgiebigkeit einen echten Wandel in der iranischen Innenpolitik ankündigt oder rein taktisch bedingt ist. In den vergangenen Wochen sind durchaus Änderungen zum Besseren zu beobachten: für einige „missliebige“ Studenten wurde das Studierverbot aufgehoben, geschasste Professoren kehren an die Uni zurück, radikale Rektoren wurden von ihren Posten entfernt.

Auch im Bereich der Wirtschaft kehren allmählich wieder normale Verhältnisse ein. Nach 8 Jahren von Ahmadinedjads Lügenpropaganda, ungehinderter Korruption (Bankenskandal) und dem Ausverkauf wirtschaftlich sensibler Bereiche an die Revolutionsgarden scheint sogar der Oberste Führer Khamenei ein Einsehen zu haben. Allerdings müssen er und Rouhani sich weiterhin den unersättlichen Militärs beugen, die nicht nur den wichtigen Ölsektor, Telekommunikation und die Importwirtschaft (Schmugglerbrüder) kontrollieren. Sie beanspruchen auch politisches Mitspracherecht, wie auf diesem Blog häufig nachzulesen, und mischen sich schamlos in die Außenpolitik ein – mit verheerenden Folgen, wie Ölembargo und Sanktionen beweisen.

Sollte es Rouhani, vor allem aber Khamenei, der die Revolutionsgarden zum Machterhalt braucht, nicht gelingen, die allzeit zum Zuschlagen bereiten Sepahi und Bassidji unter ihre Kontrolle zu bringen, werden die guten Nachrichten von heute nur Kosmetik bleiben. Zumal die Revolutionsgarden als Ankläger und Vollstrecker zugleich, parallel zur Justiz, über eigene Gefängnisse verfügen.

Die Anerkennung der Bürgerrechte aller Iraner, vor allem der ethnischen und religiösen Minderheiten, ist zwingende Voraussetzung für eine echte Verbesserung der miserablen Menschenrechts- und Wirtschaftslage. Als vierte Macht im Staat würden freie Medien dazu beitragen, die grassierende Vetternwirtschaft im Regime zumindest teilweise einzudämmen. Ebenso könnten die NGOs ungehindert Aufgaben wie Umweltschutz, Katastrophenschutz, Suchtprävention oder Kinderhilfe übernehmen, bei denen der Staat bisher versagt hat. Erst wenn Rouhani die Wahlversprechen für mehr persönliche Freiheiten einlöst, kann man von einem Richtungswechsel in Iran sprechen.

 

Rouhanis neue Regierung: Die Kandidaten

Der neue iranische Präsident Hassan Rouhani hat am Wochenende seine Amtsgeschäfte aufgenommen. Am Sonntag legte er im Parlament seinen Amtseid ab, nachdem das geistliche Oberhaupt Ayatollah Ali Chamenei seine Wahl am Tag zuvor bestätigt hatte. Rouhani kündigte an, sich für eine Aufhebung der internationalen Sanktionen gegen Iran einzusetzen.

Nach der Ernennung von Mohammad Nahavandian zum Stabschef hat der neue Präsident dem Parlament die Liste der Kandidaten für seine neue Regierung vorgelegt. Neben bekannten Gesichtern wie dem ehemaligen Ölminister Bijan Zangeneh enthält sie vorwiegend Technokraten und Pragmatiker aus dem Umfeld des ehemaligen Präsidenten Rafsandjani, sowie vom Center for Strategic Research, dem einzigen bedeutenden iranischen Think Tank, den Rouhani seit 1992 leitet. Mehrere Kandidaten waren bereits unter dem ehemaligen Premierminister Mir Hossein Moussavi (als Oppositionsführer inzwischen unter Hausarrest) und dem politisch marginalisierten Reformpräsidenten Khatami im Amt.

Entgegen Rouhanis Wahlversprechen für mehr Gleichberechtigung erscheint keine einzige Frau unter den Nominierten. Diese müssen noch in den kommenden zwei Wochen vom Parlament im Amt bestätigt werden. Angesichts jüngster Attacken der herrschenden Hardliner ist daher mit Änderungen zu rechnen.

Die Vizepräsidenten

Erster Vizepräsident: Es’haq Jahangiri (am 5. August offiziell im Amt bestätigt, Industrieminister unter Khatami)

Vizepräsident für parlamentarische Angelegenheiten: Teimour Ali Asgari 

Vizepräsident für politische Angelegenheiten und Sicherheitspolitik: Hodjatoleslam Ali Younesi (Khatamis Minister für Nachrichtendienste)

Hodjatoleslam Ali Younesi

Vizepräsident für exekutive Angelegenheiten: Morteza Bank

Vizepräsident für Supervision und strategische Angelegenheiten: Mohammad Bagher Nobakht 

Vizepräsident und Chef der Iranischen Organisation für Kulturerbe, Handwerk und Tourismus: Reza Salehi

Rouhanis Kanzlei 

Leiter der Präsidialverwaltung: Hossein Fereydoun (Bruder des Präsidenten) 

Stabschef: Mohammad Nahavandian (bereits im Amt bestätigt, bisheriger Chef der Industrie- und Handelskammer)

Mohammad Nahavandian

Chefberater: Akbar Torkan  

Berater für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten: Mahmoud Sariolqalam

Die Minister 

Minister für Öl: Bijan Namdar Zanganeh (Erdölminister unter Khatami, Energieminister unter Moussavi, sowie weitere Ministerämter)

Bijan Namdar Zangeneh

Innenminister: Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli (bisher Chef des Obersten Rechnungshofes, Parlamentspräsident Larijani nahestehend)

Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli

Wirtschaftsminister: Ali Tayebnia  

Ali Tayebnia

Minister für Nachrichtendienste: Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi (Mitglied des Expertenrats)

Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi

Minister für Energie: Hamid Chitchian  

Verteidigungsminister: Hossein Dehghan 

Minister für Industrie, Bergbau und Handel: Mohammad Reza Ne’matzadeh 

Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh

Minister für Arbeit, Genossenschaften und Soziales: Ali Rabiei  

Landwirtschaftsminister: Mahmoud Hojjati 

Minister für Straßen- und Stadtentwicklung: Abbas Akhoundi 

Minister für Bildung: Mohammad Ali Najafi (Moussavis Wissenschaftsminister, Rafsandjanis Bildungsminister, Chef der Planungsbehörde unter Khatami)

Mohammad Ali Najafi

Gesundheitsminister: Hassan Hashemi Qazizadeh  

Minister für Sport und Jugend: Massoud Soltanifar 

Minister für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten: Mohammad Javad Zarif (UNO-Botschafter von 2002-2007)

Mohammad-Javad Zarif

Justizminister: Mohammad Javad Montazeri  

Minister für Kultur und islamische Führung: Ali Jannati (Sohn des radikalen Ayatollah Jannati, aber politisch gemäßigt)

Minister für Informations-und Kommunikationstechnologie: Mahmoud Vaezi (Diplomat und ehemaliger Geschäftsführer der iranischen Telekom)

Mahmoud Vaezi

Minister für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie: Ja’far Meili Monfared

Quelle: Website von Präsident Rouhani