Iranian journalist Vahid Shamsoddinnezhad, who graduated from the Graduate School of Journalism (ESJ) in Lille in September and has been living in France for two years with his wife and son, has been imprisoned in Iran for a month.
He had been arrested in Saqqez, Iranian Kurdistan, on September 28, where he was on assignment, “mandated by the company Keyi Productions and the editorial staff of Information d’Arte to cover the events that are shaking Iran”, according to the Franco-German channel. Violent demonstrations have been crossing the country for almost two months and the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died after her arrest by the morality police.
Necessary permissions
“Arte shares the deep concern of those close to him and wishes for the rapid release of Vahid Shamsoddinnezhad, who has always worked in complete transparency vis-à-vis the authorities”, says the television channel. According to his press release, the Iranian journalist had obtained the necessary authorizations for the filming of his subjects, by filing, on September 24, a letter of accreditation from Arte as well as the coordinates of his French press card with the authorities in Tehran.
The National Union of Journalists expressed, on Sunday, October 30, its “Solidarity with the family of Vahid Shamsoddinnezhad, his relatives and his colleagues”and called “the French government to do everything possible as soon as possible to [sa] release ». Reporters Without Borders (RSF) also came out on Twitter in favor of his rapid release. “ESJ Lille thinks of him, his family, his relatives and colleagues and hopes for his rapid release”for his part, said the management of the school in which he was educated until recently.
Second to last place in the World Press Freedom Index
On Twitter, Éric Bothorel, Renaissance deputy for the fifth district of Côtes-d’Armor, also demanded his freedom. Since his incarceration, Vahid Shamsoddinnezhad has only been able to communicate with his family in Iran, from a hidden number, according to his wife, Reyhaneh.
My dear Vahid
Ali and I are looking forward to hearing from you and seeing you.@VShamsodinhttps://t.co/gziyuHbeq2pic.twitter.com/C73tz8mDSb— Reyhan (@reihansoleimani) October 29, 2022
More than 300 Iranian journalists and photojournalists denounced, on Sunday October 30, the arrest of several of their colleagues by the authorities.
self-portrait / Vahid Shamsoddinezhad
Iran is in second-to-last place in RSF’s world press freedom index, ie 178th out of 180. According to the NGO, 43 journalists are currently imprisoned in the country. Otherwise, five French citizens are being held prisoner by the Iranian authorities, according to French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.