Mehrdad Aladin, journalist and documentary filmmaker, released on bail

Mehrdad Aladin, a cameraman and documentary filmmaker who was arrested on January 7 after being summoned to Evin Court, has been temporarily released after posting a bail of one billion tomans. The Iran Watch website reported on Sunday, January 30, that Mehrdad Aladin, a reporter for this media outlet with a history of collaboration with various media in Iran, has been released after posting the bail. Mehrdad Aladin is the brother of Kourosh Aladin, a colleague in the Persian section of Voice of America. Although according to basic principles of freedom of expression journalism is not a crime, the authorities of the Islamic Republic have for decades prevented free media activities in Iran by violating the right to freedom of expression and have always subjected journalists to various pressures, including arrest and legal cases. Also see: World Press Freedom Day in Iran under the shadow of monopoly and threat; from the 'hostage-taking' of a newsroom to increased pressure on journalists. According to the organization 'Defense of Free Flow of Information', the Islamic Republic has pursued 236 cases of media, journalists, and media activists in the first six months of 2024. The organization Reporters Without Borders has classified the Islamic Republic as 'one of the most repressive governments in the world' in terms of media freedom, ranking Iran 176th out of 180 countries regarding freedom of expression. Accordingly, in terms of media freedom, only North Korea, Afghanistan, Syria, and Eritrea have worse conditions than Iran.