CLOSED: Iranian music journalists at risk of torture

GOOD NEWS: Behrang Tonekaboni, his mother Lily Farhadpour and his colleague Kayvan Farzin have been released on bail.

Music journalists Behrang Tonekaboni and Kayvan Farzin of Farhang va Ahang, a monthly music journal, were arrested at the journal's offices on 5 January.

Behrang called his family following his detention, but was not allowed to say where he was being held. He has asthma and a heart condition, and requires regular medication. Behrang's mother Lily Farhadpour, who is a journalist and a member of Iranian NGO Mothers for Peace was also arrested on 20 January.

The Iranian authorities have not revealed the whereabouts of any of the three individuals. The reasons for the arrests are unknown, although it may be connected to the ongoing protests against the government in Iran, as the authorities have arrested many journalists, human rights defenders, and students.

UPDATE:3 MARCH 2010
Behrang has been released on bail, but Kayvan and Behrang's mother Lily remain in prison.

Background

Demonstrations in Iran in June and July against the disputed presidential election result of June 2009 were violently repressed, by police and the paramilitary Basij militia, who used excessive force.

Since then, demonstrations have continued to take place on days of national importance when public demonstrations are permitted. During these protests, thousands of people were arrested, although many were later released. Many of those arrested in the summer were tortured or otherwise ill-treated. At least three died as a result of torture in the Kahrizak detention centre near Tehran.

The security forces' response to the demonstrations linked to the religious festival on the 27 December were the most violent since the early days of the protests. The opposition website Jaras estimates that at least 1,300 were arrested across Iran.

GOOD NEWS: Behrang Tonekaboni, his mother Lily Farhadpour and his colleague Kayvan Farzin have been released on bail.

Music journalists Behrang Tonekaboni and Kayvan Farzin of Farhang va Ahang, a monthly music journal, were arrested at the journal's offices on 5 January.

Behrang called his family following his detention, but was not allowed to say where he was being held. He has asthma and a heart condition, and requires regular medication. Behrang's mother Lily Farhadpour, who is a journalist and a member of Iranian NGO Mothers for Peace was also arrested on 20 January.

The Iranian authorities have not revealed the whereabouts of any of the three individuals. The reasons for the arrests are unknown, although it may be connected to the ongoing protests against the government in Iran, as the authorities have arrested many journalists, human rights defenders, and students.

UPDATE:3 MARCH 2010
Behrang has been released on bail, but Kayvan and Behrang's mother Lily remain in prison.

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