Continued Uncertainty About the Status of a Journalist; Efforts Regarding Mehdi Afsharnik 'Have Not Yielded Results'

More than a week after the arrest of Mehdi Afsharnik, a journalist and documentary filmmaker in the oil sector, some of his colleagues have reported that efforts to ascertain his status have been fruitless. According to reports, Mehdi Afsharnik, who has previously collaborated with the newspapers Etemad and Shargh, was likely arrested on Wednesday, February 1, and is reportedly being held in Evin Prison, according to his wife. Earlier, the Telegram channel of the Iranian Journalists Club quoted Afsharnik's wife as saying that he informed his family of his presence in Evin Prison one day after his arrest and has not made contact since. Despite the family's and their lawyer's inquiries, judicial authorities have not provided any information regarding the reason for Mehdi Afsharnik's arrest. The ongoing detention and lack of information about this journalist's status have led to criticism among media activists and political activists. Seyyed Sadegh Hosseini, a journalist, wrote in a note on X (formerly Twitter): 'It has been more than a week since Mr. Mehdi Afsharnik's arrest; and still, many people's inquiries have not yielded results; and they say: God willing soon! For those of us who are outside, God willing! It is one thing, and for Mehdi who is in there, it is another thing, and for his family, it is yet another.' Majid Azarpey, a former political prisoner, also criticized the silence regarding the 'ambiguous deprivation of a friend's freedom' and wrote: 'Truly, how does writing about the ambiguous deprivation of a friend's freedom disrupt your work and life? Remember that this harm [grinder] is turn by turn, and until your turn comes, there is not much time left...' Following the continued pressures of the Iranian government on journalists, including through judicial actions and prison sentences, the International Federation of Journalists has once again urged the authorities of the Islamic Republic to immediately release all journalists and media personnel imprisoned in Iran. Anthony Bellanger, the Secretary-General of the International Federation of Journalists, stated that the Iranian authorities 'always target journalists with unjust punishments.' He called on the judiciary of the Islamic Republic to 'allow journalists to operate freely based on international documents that Iran must adhere to.' According to a report by Reporters Without Borders on media freedom published on May 2, 2023, Iran ranks 177th out of 180 countries in the world. The continued uncertainty regarding the status of seven employees and financial managers of the media outlet Faray-e-Eqtesad, Nasrin Hosseini, a journalist, has been imprisoned on charges of 'spreading falsehoods' and not adhering to 'Islamic hijab.' The judiciary considers the arrest of a journalist and the inspection of a media building unrelated 'to media activities.' The pressure on media activists in Iran continues; prison sentences have been issued for two female journalists.