The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the
Iranian authorities to release Mohammadreza Moghise, a board member of
the Association of Iranian Journalists (AoIJ), who was arrested on
October 22 and has not been heard from since. This is the second time
he has been arrested since the political unrest which followed the
disputed Presidential election of June 2009.

"We are very concerned for the welfare and safety of Mohammadreza
Moghise who should be given immediate access to his family and a
lawyer," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "The authorities
must end the targeting of independent journalists and union leaders
for expressing their views."

The AoIJ, an IFJ affiliate, says Moghise was arrested and jailed for
five months last year before being released on a 30.000 Euro bail. He
was again arrested last week and has made no contact with his family
since then.

Moghise is one of tens of journalists who have been targeted by the
clampdown on media imposed by the authorities in the wake of
widespread protests following the 2009 elections. The IFJ says at
least 30 journalists are behind bars and many more have fled the
country fearing arrest. At the same time dozens of newspapers have
been closed and the offices of the AoIJ were forcibly closed in August
2009.

"The intolerance of dissent and independent voices in Iran has led to
an all-out assault on media and independent journalism by the state,"
added White. "Journalists are being made to pay a heavy price because
the government has lost public trust."