Israel Matzav

American reporter trapped in Iran

Parnaz Azima, an American citizen and a reporter for Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, is being prevented from leaving Iran after entering the country on January 25 to visit a sick relative. One Jerusalem is reporting that the Iranians took away Ms. Azima's passport upon her arrival in Iran without providing any explanation.

Jeffrey Gedmin, the President of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty issued the following statement regarding Ms. Azima:

"I call on the Iranian authorities to return Ms. Azima's passport and to allow her to leave Iran without futher delay. There is no reason to prevent this talented journalist from returning to her professional duties immediately."

Azima, a dual citizen of the United States and Iran, is a broadcaster with Radio Farda, the joint RFE/RL-Voice of America 24-hour, seven-day-a-week Persian-language broadcast service to Iran. She joined RFE/RL in 1998 and is based at RFE/RL's broadcast headquarters in Prague, Czech Republic. Azima endured a similar situation in Iran during the spring of 2006, when her Iranian passport was seized and held for several weeks before being returned to her.

Markedmanner adds that Azima was once asked to cooperate with Iran's intelligence services, which she refused. That may or may not be connected with her detention.

The only thing that surprises me about this story is that it has been kept quiet for so long.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:05 PM