Journalist Massoud Lavasani Under Surveillance After Release

Following news of the disappearance of journalist Massoud Lavasani last week, his father told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, “Something terrible happened to my son, but he doesn’t want to say anything out of fear for his family’s security. I am really sorry to live in Iran under these circumstances. I have lived my life and have no fear, but because I am worried for my son, I cannot say anything. Only let everyone know that we are under tight control and we are not safe.”

Massoud Lavasani was arrested on 13 June 2009 on charges of “propagating against the regime.” He was released on 7 September 2011 after serving two years in prison. On 6 January 2012, security forces entered his home and arrested his wife, Fatemeh Kheradmand, also a journalist. Authorities released Kheradmand on 31 January 2012. Since then, both journalists, who have a toddler, have kept complete silence. On 22 March 2012, Kheradmand wrote on her Facebook page that her husband had disappeared, saying, “Massoud left home yesterday to get some fresh air, but he has not yet returned and I have no news of him.”

After his wife’s January arrest, Lavasani told the Campaign, “Our family is under immense pressure and control. All our comings and goings are monitored. They ask our neighbors and neighborhood shopkeepers who has been coming and going to our house.”

Quoting Kheradmand’s Facebook page, Kaleme website wrote, “Apparently, that night [Massoud Lavasani] passed out during a walk, and a well-meaning individual transferred him to the hospital…. Because he did not have an identification card on him, they were unable to inform his family.” The website added, “He regained consciousness today and since an EKG showed his relative recovery, he will soon be released from the hospital.”