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Alert

IFJ calls on government to free jailed journalist after claims of mistreatment

(IFJ/IFEX) - 29 July 2010 - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on Iranian authorities to release journalist Abdolreza Tajik who has been in detention for 50 days without being charged. His family claims he has been ill treated in jail.

"The failure to produce evidence that he has broken the law and the fears that he is being abused in jail should be enough to indicate that there is a terrible injustice here," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. "If there is no case to answer he should be freed immediately and all the allegations of ill treatment must be investigated."

According to media sources Tajik was arrested more than a month ago. No reason for his arrest has been announced. He has since complained to the head of the judiciary about his degrading treatment during interrogation. The family also claims that Tajik, who has been arrested three times since the June 2009 controversial elections in Iran, is being denied contact with them, his lawyer and with doctors.

The IFJ is backing a petition which has been signed by a group of about 100 Iranian journalists calling on the prosecutor in Tehran to investigate the allegations and to release Tajik.

"The authorities must get to the bottom of this case," added White. "This man is being held in appalling circumstances and is being denied all of his rights."