Iranian Writers' Association condemns "recent wave of repression"
On Wednesday, July 12, the Iranian Writers' Association condemned the government's organized and relentless pressure on writers, artists, and trade union and civil society activists in a statement titled "Protest against the Recent Wave of Repressions."
Referring to the arrest of a number of Aban 98 activists, including Mohammad Rasoulof, Mustafa Al-Ahmad, and Jafar Panahi, and the accusations and filing of cases against them, the organization wrote: "In these past few months, the government's organized pressure on writers, artists, and trade union and civil activists has continued."
The organization further criticized the approach of news agencies close to or affiliated with the Islamic Republic in covering news related to the recent arrests, writing: "In the midst of these raids, government news agencies, as always, have resorted to publishing fake news and are not sparing in making accusations and fabricating cases."
The organization ultimately called for the "unconditional" release of the recent detainees and all political and ideological prisoners.
On July 8, the IRNA news agency announced the arrest of two prominent filmmakers, Mohammad Rasoulof and Mustafa Al-Ahmad, and charged them with "connections with counter-revolution and incitement and disrupting the psychological security of society."
At the same time, Mehr News Agency also reported the arrest of Mustafa Tajzadeh, former Deputy Interior Minister in Mohammad Khatami's government, and reformist figures, and accused Mr. Tajzadeh of "gathering and colluding against national security."
Source: Radio Farda
