Iran arrests 11 journalists
Eleven journalists have been arrested in Iran accused of co-operating with foreign-based Persian-language media organisations.
It is a major escalation in a press crackdown that shows Iran’s zero tolerance for those who work with dissident media or outlets deemed as unfriendly.
The 11 reporters were taken into custody because of their “foreign contacts” and are from six different news organisations, including four daily papers, a weekly and the semi-official ILNA news agency.
Iran has in recent years denounced the BBC’s Persian service and Voice of America, describing them as arms of British and US intelligence agencies.
It has warned of severe repercussions for journalists and activists caught having contact with these outlets.
