Hosseyn Yazdi, Government-Critical Journalist, Arrested Again

Hosseyn Yazdi, the head of the 'Mobin 24' website and the 'Iran Times' news channel, was arrested on Tuesday, July 3, after being summoned to the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Isfahan and transferred to Dashtgerd Prison. Saba Yazdi, the son of this government-critical journalist, confirmed the news in a Twitter message. According to Saba Yazdi, his father has been moved to 'Section A-TA' in the prison, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Intelligence. In an interview with Shargh Network, Saba Yazdi mentioned that the charge against his father in the prosecutor's notice is 'propaganda against the regime.' Hosseyn Yazdi has been summoned to judicial authorities several times and spent some time in prison last fall. This critical journalist, who was arrested in Isfahan on December 5 of last year, was released from prison during a wave of releases in February of the previous year. In that case, Mr. Yazdi was sentenced to one year of imprisonment, two years of passport revocation and exit ban, and mandatory participation in a 'behavior management and skill training course.' According to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization, at least four media activists in Tehran, Rasht, and Javanrud have been arrested in recent months. The International Federation of Journalists has recently reported an increase in pressure on journalists and media activists in Iran and the imprisonment of at least 15 journalists. Based on the latest report from Reporters Without Borders, Iran ranks 177th out of 180 countries in terms of media freedom. Therefore, media freedom is only worse in three countries: Vietnam, China, and North Korea. Reporters Without Borders has described the state of media freedom in Iran as 'concerning' and labeled the Islamic Republic as 'one of the most repressive governments in the world.' In this context, Nazila Maroufian, a journalist, announced on Twitter on Tuesday that agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided her home, took her phone, laptop, and records, and told her she must introduce herself to Evin Prosecutor's Office next Saturday. A reference by journalist Asal Abbasi to several female journalists arrested in the past six months indicates that the 'temporary' detention of Niloufar Hamedi has exceeded '200 days.' The International Federation of Journalists has called for the release of 15 imprisoned journalists in Iran. Media activists remain under pressure; the arrest of Elnaz Mohammadi; imprisonment and exit ban for Hosseyn Yazdi. The head of the Mazandaran judiciary confirmed an 18-year prison sentence for Ehsan Pirbarna; 'only 10 years of it is enforceable.' Vida Rabani, a journalist, was arrested for the second time in a year in Iran. Exclusive: Nazila Maroufian was beaten; 'plainclothes' agents intended to arrest her.