Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.
Iranwire – Nearly 900 cultural, civil, and political activists inside and outside Iran have signed a statement condemning the arrests of independent researchers and demanding their immediate release.
The statement, signed by 895 activists, said independent research, thought, and criticism have historically faced pressure in Iran, and several researchers and writers now face threats, summons, and detention for their intellectual activities.
The signatories named Parviz Sedaghat, Mohammad Maljo, Mahsa Asadollahnejad, Shirin Karimi, and Heyman Rahimi as researchers who have been “heralds of freedom and justice.”
“In a situation where society is involved in successive crises, injustice, and inequality, the suppression of thought and analysis means repeating dead ends and denying collective awareness,” the statement said.
Last week, Islamic Republic security forces simultaneously raided the homes of several researchers and translators in Tehran and arrested some of them.
Authorities confiscated electronic devices and personal documents.
Mohammad Maljo, an economist, said on Sunday he will no longer respond to the Revolutionary Guard Intelligence Organization after “three rounds of interrogation outside judicial procedures.”
He said he will only respond to judicial authorities.
The statement said civil society and social forces “are no longer in a condition to tolerate such attacks,” adding that the crackdowns “would draw more attention to discourse linking justice and freedom.”
