February 18, 2010
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Your Excellency:
We are writing on behalf of the International Women’s Media Foundation to express our alarm concerning Iranian journalist Bahman Ahmadi Amoyee, who is about to be sentenced to flogging and prison.
Amoyee, whose wife, Jila Baniyaghoob, won an IWMF Courage in Journalism Award in 2009, is an editor at the business daily newspaper Sarmayeh, which was closed by Iranian authorities in November.
He was arrested in June 2009 following the post-election protests in Iran. In January, Amoyee was sentenced to seven years and four months’ imprisonment and 32 lashes. Charges against him include "colluding with intent to harm national security,” "propaganda against the system" and "insulting the president."
Amoyee is appealing the charges, and we urge you to release him immediately and unconditionally so that he can continue his work as a journalist. We are concerned that the unfair sentence for Amoyee signals more restrictions on free expression and press freedom in Iran. All viewpoints should be allowed to be expressed in the media without force or coercion, and journalists should be protected in the course of their work by authorities.
As a network of thousands of women and men in the media around the world who are supporters of a worldwide free press, we respectfully urge you to take immediate action to ensure that Amoyee is neither tortured nor sent to prison. By using your power to see that justice is done in this case, you will take a step toward establishing a free and independent press in Iran.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Campbell Brown, co-chair
Barbara Cochran, co-chair
CC: Mr. Ali Reza Avaei
Karimkhan Zand Avenue
Sana’i Avenue, Corner of Alley 17, No 152
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
His Excellency Mohammad Javad Larijani
Bureau of International Affairs, Office of the Head of the Judiciary,
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave. south of Serah-e Jomhouri,
Tehran 1316814737
Islamic Republic of Iran