Sina Motalebi
Encyclopedia
Sina Motalebi is an Iran
ian journalist, based in London
. He is currently the Editor of ZigZag magazine, a website based on the content of journalists and citizen's contributions following their distance journalism training course provided by the BBC World Service Trust
.
He started his career in 1991 as a film critic and later began to write political and cultural columns and commentary for several reformist newspapers. He has joined the Persian Section of BBC World Service
as a multimedia producer in 2004. He graduated from Tehran University, Faculty of Law and Political Science. After most of the Iranian reformist publications were banned by the Islamic government
, Sina started blogging in his personal weblog, Webgard (also known as Rooznegar).
In 20 April 2003 he was arrested by intelligence division of law enforcement because of his writings in his weblog and newspapers, and his interviews with foreign media. He was detained 23 days in solitary confinement in a secret detention centre before he was released on bail.
In December 2003 Sina left the country for the Netherlands where he sought asylum. He recalled his experiences in his weblog as well as a joint press conference held by Human Rights Watch
and Reporters sans frontières (in June 2004). The judiciary responded by arresting his father, Saeed Motalebi and charged him with “assisting the escape of an accused person,” an apparent reference to his son’s departure from Iran, despite the fact that Sina Motalebi left Iran legally.
Saeed Motalebi was detained for 10 days in a secret detention centre before being released. During his detention Pedram Moallemian, an Iranian blogger and activist, campaigned for his release.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian journalist, based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He is currently the Editor of ZigZag magazine, a website based on the content of journalists and citizen's contributions following their distance journalism training course provided by the BBC World Service Trust
BBC World Service
The BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays...
.
He started his career in 1991 as a film critic and later began to write political and cultural columns and commentary for several reformist newspapers. He has joined the Persian Section of BBC World Service
BBC World Service
The BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays...
as a multimedia producer in 2004. He graduated from Tehran University, Faculty of Law and Political Science. After most of the Iranian reformist publications were banned by the Islamic government
Islamic republic
Islamic republic is the name given to several states in the Muslim world including the Islamic Republics of Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Mauritania. Pakistan adopted the title under the constitution of 1956. Mauritania adopted it on 28 November 1958. Iran adopted it after the 1979 Iranian...
, Sina started blogging in his personal weblog, Webgard (also known as Rooznegar).
In 20 April 2003 he was arrested by intelligence division of law enforcement because of his writings in his weblog and newspapers, and his interviews with foreign media. He was detained 23 days in solitary confinement in a secret detention centre before he was released on bail.
In December 2003 Sina left the country for the Netherlands where he sought asylum. He recalled his experiences in his weblog as well as a joint press conference held by Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
and Reporters sans frontières (in June 2004). The judiciary responded by arresting his father, Saeed Motalebi and charged him with “assisting the escape of an accused person,” an apparent reference to his son’s departure from Iran, despite the fact that Sina Motalebi left Iran legally.
Saeed Motalebi was detained for 10 days in a secret detention centre before being released. During his detention Pedram Moallemian, an Iranian blogger and activist, campaigned for his release.
Awards and honors
- 1997 - The First Prize at the National Press Festival, Tehran
- 2005 - Hellman/Hammett Grant by Human Rights WatchHuman Rights WatchHuman Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
Sources
- Sina Motalebi's father arrested - IFEXInternational Freedom of Expression ExchangeThe International Freedom of Expression eXchange , founded in 1992, is a global network of around 90 non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression....