Concern Grows for Imprisoned Journalist; Family of Mehdi Afsharnik Worried

The Telegram channel 'Iranian Journalists Club' reported the continued detention of Mehdi Afsharnik and the lack of news about him nearly a month after his arrest. This channel quoted a relative of Mr. Afsharnik stating that he was arrested on Tuesday night, January 30, and the following day made a brief phone call indicating he was in Evin Prison, but has since had no contact with his family. This situation has raised concerns among the journalist's family. The Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary, claimed that 'there are no media-related charges in this case,' but did not provide any explanation regarding his charges. Following the ongoing pressures from the Iranian government on journalists, including judicial actions and prison sentences, the International Federation of Journalists recently called on the authorities of the Islamic Republic to immediately release all journalists and media staff imprisoned in Iran. Anthony Bellanger, the Secretary-General of this international federation, stated that the Iranian authorities 'always target journalists with unjust punishments.' He urged the Iranian judiciary to 'allow journalists to operate freely according to international documents that Iran must adhere to.' According to a report by Reporters Without Borders on media freedom published on May 2 of this year, Iran ranks 177th among 180 countries worldwide. The ongoing pressure on media activists in Iran includes prison sentences for two female journalists, the arrest of two journalists and environmental activists in Rasht, and the sentencing of dozens of journalists from Voice of America and other Persian-language media outlets abroad by the Revolutionary Court. A renewed sentence was issued for journalist Soltan Ali Abadi following conditional release.