Journalist Saba Azarpeik was released on bail on August 20, 2014. She had been held since May 28, 2014, at an undisclosed location. It was reported that during her detention she was in a bad physical and psychological condition. PEN International welcomes her release, but continues to call for any charges against her solely relating to her peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression to be dropped, and for an investigation into reports of ill-treatment in detention. PEN also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all other writers currently detained in Iran in connection with their peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression and assembly, in accordance with Articles 9, 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party.
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Background Information
Saba Azarpeik is a leading independent journalist and political correspondent for the newspaper Etemaad and other reformist publications. She was detained at an undisclosed location on May 28, 2014, and was arrested during a raid on the office of the Tehran-based weekly Tejarat-e Farda, for which Azarpeik is a correspondent. No formal charges against her have been made known. During her arrest she was allowed to contact her family on only one occasion.
On July 21-22, 2014, she appeared at Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court and was said to be in a poor physical and psychological condition, having lost a lot of weight. At the time, there were reports that she had needed treatment for severe back pain.
On August 20, 2014 Saba Azarpeik was released on bail of two billion rials (approximately US$74,000)
For the previous RAN alert on Saba Azarpeik’s case, click here.
For further information, please contact Cathy McCann at PEN International, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6ER, Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7405 0338, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7405 0339, Email:
[email protected]Write A Letter
Please send appeals:
• Welcoming the release of journalist Saba Azarpeik, but calling for all charges against her solely related to her peaceful exercise of freedom of expression to be dropped;
• Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all other writers currently detained in Iran solely in connection with their peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression and assembly, in accordance with Articles 9,19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party.
Send Your Letter To
Leader of the Islamic Republic
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street -- End of Shahid
Keshvar Doust Street,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Twitter: @khamenei_ir
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
c/o Public Relations Office
Number 4, 2 Azizi Street intersection
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Hassan Rouhani
Pasteur Street, Pasteur Square
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Twitter: @HassanRouhani (English) and
@Rouhani_ir (Persian)
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Iran in your country if possible.
***Please send appeals immediately. Check with PEN International if sending appeals after 31 December 2014. *** Please inform us of any action you take, and of any responses you receive.
