Exclusive | Extension of Shaya Shahook's Detention; Islamic Republic Officials: 'He is Not Cooperating'

Following the extension of the temporary detention of Shaya Shahook, a graphic designer in Amol, a civil activist told Voice of America that judicial officials have not allowed his wife to meet him and stated, 'Shaya is not cooperating with us.' Ghazal Abdollahi, an artist and civil activist residing in Berlin, Germany, explained the latest situation of Shaya Shahook in detention on Thursday, October 5, and said that 'seven agents broke down the door' with 'violent behavior' and 'created physical conflict,' searched the house, and in addition to his arrest and transfer to the 'Amol Prosecutor's Office,' took all electronic devices belonging to this graphic designer and his wife. Shaya Shahook, a graphic designer and journalist, is the son of Changiz Shahook, a well-known painter and sculptor, who was arrested on September 19 when agents of the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence raided his home in Amol, Mazandaran province. According to Ghazal Abdollahi, Shaya Shahook has previously worked for publications such as 'Nameh, Iran Farda, Shargh, Seda-ye Edalat, Etelaat, and Aseman-e Abi,' most of which have been 'suspended.' Abdollahi also told Voice of America that Shaya Shahook's wife has 'repeatedly visited the Amol Prosecutor's Office to follow up on his situation, and so far, she has not been allowed to meet him. When she asked for the reason, they said it was because you have made his conditions and situation public and talked about him, and that Shaya is not cooperating with us.' She stated that while the prosecutor's office 'issued a meeting permit,' when the wife of this detained journalist 'went to meet him, they did not allow it.' Ghazal Abdollahi also added that they told Shaya's wife that within the 'first 24 hours' the charge of 'propaganda against the regime' was communicated to him, 'but the reason and cause for his detention are still unclear.' While this civil activist has been transferred to the 'Sari Information Office,' Abdollahi told Voice of America that he has been 'in solitary confinement' for 'almost 17 days,' and judicial officials have informed his family that the detention order has been 'extended for another 15 days.' According to this report, in the past seventeen days, Shaya Shahook has had 'only three phone calls of under a minute with his wife,' and 'it is unclear why the detention has been extended.' Ghazal Abdollahi also emphasized that 'being in solitary confinement for 17 days' and 'detention with violence puts a lot of psychological pressure on a person who is imprisoned,' and 'the short phone calls of under a minute that the prisoner can hardly get permission to contact his family are only to reassure his family that he is okay.' Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his latest report to the Human Rights Council of the organization, announced that between July 31, 2022, and April 15, 2023, more than 70 journalists, including 25 women, have been arrested, and 16 journalists are still in prison. Some of these detained journalists have received sentences ranging from 12 to 18 months in prison, have been banned from leaving the country, and their journalistic activities have been revoked. According to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders on media freedom published on May 2, 2023, Iran ranks 177th among 180 countries in the world. The International Federation of Journalists, while updating the list of imprisoned journalists in Iran, reiterated that journalism is not a crime, and the Islamic Republic must release all imprisoned journalists and media activists.