185 Iranian Journalists: We Stand with the Victims of Charlie Hebdo and Freedom Seekers

185 Iranian journalists condemned the attack on the satirical magazine 'Charlie Hebdo' in Paris on Friday, emphasizing that violence against freedom of expression and free media activities is 'condemned in any form and for any excuse.' These Iranian journalists, residing both in Iran and abroad, stated in their declaration: 'Any act of violence against freedom of expression and free media activities, and the assassination of journalists in any form and for any excuse, by any individual or group, regardless of their ideology, is condemned.' The statement continued: 'Today, we stand alongside the victims of Charlie Hebdo and freedom seekers around the world, and we consider defending freedom of expression and thought against any form of repression and violence to be our most fundamental duty.' A number of Iranian journalists intended to gather on Thursday to express their condolences to the victims of this attack in front of the closed building of the Iranian Journalists' Association, but the gathering did not take place due to the presence of security and intelligence forces. On Friday, a group of Iranian and Afghan comedians also issued a statement condemning the armed attack on the Charlie Hebdo office, calling it a 'shameful terrorist act.' The Iranian Writers' Association also condemned the attack on Charlie Hebdo and the murder of 12 individuals as a 'terrorist attack' in a message released on Thursday. In the message, the attack on the Charlie Hebdo office was described as a 'horrific crime,' emphasizing that the planners and perpetrators are 'enemies of freedom of thought and expression and followers of ignorance and superstition' who have 'no goal other than to impose backwardness on the world.' Previously, Reporters Without Borders had condemned the 'deadly attack' on the Charlie Hebdo office in a statement. In this context, Rouhani indirectly condemned the attack on 'Charlie Hebdo.'