Newsweek journalist 'detained without charge' in Iran

Source: CNN

Newsweek journalist 'detained without charge' in Iran

UPDATED: 04:02 PM EDT 06.21.09

A Canadian working for Newsweek magazine in the Iranian capital was "detained without charge" by Iranian authorities Sunday, the magazine said in a statement.

Maziar Bahari has not been heard from since Sunday morning, Newsweek said. A journalist and filmmaker, Bahari has been living in Iran and covering the country for the past decade, according to the statement.

In addition, Life magazine, in a photo gallery posted on its Web site, said the Iranian photojournalist who shot the photos was missing. "He has not been in contact with us," the magazine said. An e-mail from a relative said the man had gone outside the day before and never come back, adding that the "government arrested them," Life said.

Newsweek's statement regarding Bahari said the magazine "strongly condemns this unwarranted detention, and calls upon the Iranian government to release him immediately."

Read more: http://m.cnn.com/cnn/lt_ne/lt_ne/detail/316686

Oh, wait,...

It isn't.

now that we're doing just that, we no longer have a moral platform to argue from.

Oh, geez...this sucks. They went to his house at 7 am, took him and his equipment, telling his mother "he will be our guest".

http://www.newsweek.com/id/203036?from=rss

Among the dozens of people arrested overnight in Tehran was NEWSWEEK reporter Maziar Bahari, who has covered Iran for the magazine for over a decade. Bahari was home asleep at 7 a.m. when several security officers showed up at his Tehran apartment. According to his mother, who lives with the 41-year-old reporter and documentary filmmaker, the men did not identify themselves. They seized Bahari's laptop and several videotapes. Assuring her that he would be their guest, they then left with Bahari. He has not been heard from since.

In a statement, NEWSWEEK magazine has strongly condemned the detention of Bahari and called for him to be released immediately. Bahari is a dual Canadian-Iranian citizen. According to the statement, "His coverage of Iran, for NEWSWEEK and other outlets, has always been fair and nuanced, and has given full weight to all sides of the issues. He has always worked well with different administrations in Tehran, including the current one."

NEWSWEEK Editor Jon Meacham said, "We are deeply concerned about Mr. Bahari's detention. As a longtime NEWSWEEK reporter he has worked hard to be balanced in his coverage of Iran. We see no reason why he should be held by the authorities. We respectfully ask that they release him as soon as possible."