RSF Calls for Release of Journalist Arrested for Covering Mystery Poisonings of Schoolgirls in Iran
Date
3/12/2023 3:36:03 AM
(MENAFN) Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a leading media rights group, has called on Iran to release a journalist who was arrested after closely covering a spate of mystery poisonings of schoolgirls. The organization argued that the detention appeared to be an attempt to silence him. The poisonings have affected over 5,000 pupils, mostly girls, since November, according to the authorities. However, rights groups based outside Iran have accused the authorities of failing to do enough to protect women’s education, and there were protests across Iran outside education authorities on Monday and Tuesday.
Paris-based RSF stated that Ali Pour-Tabatabaie started covering the story for the Qom News website and on Twitter as soon as the first cases of poisoning were reported in the holy city of Qom at the end of November. He was still covering the story when he was arrested on March 5. Pour-Tabatabaie had criticized the lack of any reaction from the authorities in Qom to the first reported cases of poisoning, it added. RSF noted that he managed to phone his sister to tell her he had been arrested but it was not clear where he was being held.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for the perpetrators of the “unforgivable crime” to be tracked down “without mercy.” However, RSF emphasized that instead of arresting journalists, the Iranian authorities should focus on preventing further poisonings and bring those responsible to justice. RSF also urged the international community to speak out against the suppression of independent media in Iran and demand the release of Pour-Tabatabaie.
The arrest of Pour-Tabatabaie is the latest incident in a long history of the Iranian authorities’ targeting of journalists and activists who report on sensitive topics. In January, RSF denounced the “systematic harassment” of journalists in Iran by the regime, citing arbitrary arrests, lengthy prison sentences, and restrictions on freedom of movement and expression. The organization ranked Iran 174th out of 180 countries in its 2021 World Press Freedom Index.
MENAFN12032023000045012476ID1105755662
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.