Iran - New arrest of a journalist in Kurdistan

    MONTREAL, Sept. 10 /CNW Telbec/ - Reporters Without Borders today called
for the release of a Kurdish contributor to national and foreign media, Massud
Kurdpoor, who was arrested by intelligence ministry agents at his home in
Bukan, Iranian Kurdistan on 7 August 2008. The teacher had been broadcasting
regularly on foreign radio stations Voice of America, Radio France
International and Deutsche Welle about increased repression and violations of
human rights in the region. Kurdpoor was held in solitary confinement for
three weeks before being transferred to jail in Mahabad, the main city of
Kurdistan. He was charged at the Mahabad revolutionary court on 7 September
2008 with "publicity against the regime during interviews given to foreign and
enemy media" without any lawyer in court to represent him. His arrest brings
to six the number of Kurdish journalists behind bars in Iran.

For further information: Katherine Borlongan, Executive Director,
Reporters Without Borders Canada, [phone], [e-mail]