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May 23, 2025 – Iran –
Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist and former employee of Voice of America and Radio Farda, has been detained in Tehran’s Evin Prison. Authorities arrested him in September 2024, and he has since been held without access to legal representation. Valizadeh claims that his detention stems from his refusal to collaborate with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence unit. He alleges that the IRGC offered him financial incentives to lure Iranian journalists abroad back to Iran under the guise of contractual work, which he declined. Subsequently, they proposed that he establish a media outlet, which he also rejected. Following these refusals, he was arrested.
In December 2024, a Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Valizadeh to 10 years in prison on charges of collaborating with a hostile government. His lawyer, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, has stated that the verdict is subject to appeal within 20 days. However, Aghasi has been unable to meet with Valizadeh since the verdict was issued.
Valizadeh’s case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Iran, particularly those with dual nationality or affiliations with foreign media organizations. The Iranian government has a history of detaining such individuals on charges related to national security. International human rights organizations have condemned these actions and called for the immediate release of detained journalists and the protection of press freedom in Iran.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed concern over Valizadeh’s detention, emphasizing the importance of legal access and due process for journalists. The CPJ and other advocacy groups continue to monitor the situation and urge Iranian authorities to uphold international standards of human rights and press freedom.
Valizadeh’s case serves as a stark reminder of the risks journalists face in regions where press freedom is restricted, and the international community’s role in advocating for their rights and safety.
Reference –
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202501299622
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/14/leading-activist-arrested-in-iran-daughter-lawyer
