Iran: IranWire’s Shima Shahrabi’s Brother Arrested, Family Questioned About Her Work
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns attempts to silence journalists in exile by harassing their relatives
Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: May 24, 2023
Authorities arrest Iranwire’s Shima Shahrabi brother, raid her parent’s home, and question family members about her journalism to intimidate the exiled journalist. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the state’s harassment of Shahrabi and her family. We demand authorities immediately release Shahrabi's brother and cease targeting her relatives.
On May 3rd, Tehran, the brother of exiled editor-in-chief of IranWire’s Persian language service Shima Shahrabi was arrested after six agents from the Intelligence Ministry raided her parent’s house. Officers seized laptops, phones, bank cards, and money from her family’s home. Shahrabi’s brother was taken into custody and later transferred to Evin Prison.
Since the arrest of Shahrabi’s brother, other relatives have been summoned for questioning about the editor’s work, her relationship with her brother, and IranWire.
“Because of my activities, which are entirely related to journalism and human rights, my family in Iran is under immense pressure by the security establishment of the Islamic Republic”
“Because of my activities, which are entirely related to journalism and human rights, my family in Iran is under immense pressure by the security establishment of the Islamic Republic,” the journalist writes.
No charges have been brought against Sajjad Shahrabi as of yet. According to Branch 2 of Evin Courthouse, Shima’s brother is held under a one-month arrest warrant. He must remain in detention until a judge upholds or vacates the warrant. Shahrabi says phone contact with her brother has been cut off since May 17.
Secondary targets: Intimidating families of journalists in exile
The Iranian regime frequently targets relatives of journalists living in exile and has previously attempted to intimidate journalists affiliated with IranWire — a newsroom founded by formerly imprisoned journalist Maziar Bahari.
Most notably, Iranian authorities arrested the brother and other relatives of US-based journalist Masih Alinejed, a contributing editor for IranWire and presenter at VOA Persian Service.
In an interview with CFWIJ, journalist Sima Sabet of Iran International spoke of how the outlet’s journalists and their relatives in Iran have faced threats because of their media work.
Approaching family members still living in Iran and threatening harm is a tactic to silence and intimidate journalists from afar. Typically, security agents call relatives in for questioning, demand the journalist to stop reporting, and threaten repercussions if they refuse. Loss of jobs, asset freezes, and in more extreme cases, like with Shahrabi, their family members are arrested.
Journalists whose families are targeted are faced with a near-impossible choice, to continue reporting or censor themselves to save their family members from persecution. It is a cynical ploy to silence critical journalists living in exile and is an assault on press freedom.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the harassment and intimidation of Shima Shahrabi. It is incredibly concerning that the authorities harass her family. We urge the Iranian authorities to cease employing tactics to intimidate and silence her. Journalists must be free to report the truth without fear of government retaliation. We reiterate our demands to Iranian authorities to end its crackdown on the freedom of the press and the citizen’s right to information. We demand the immediate release of Shahrabi’s brother.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.