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          Report: 5 Iranian Journalists Detained in Ongoing Crackdown

   by Associated Press

   A semi-official news agency in Iran is reporting that authorities have
   detained five local journalists recently amid an ongoing crackdown on
   expression in the Islamic Republic.

   The report Tuesday by the Fars news agency identified two of the
   journalists as reformists Isa Saharkhiz and Ehsun Mazandarani. It did
   not name the others.

   Saharkhiz, who was released in 2013 after serving years in prison
   following Iran's 2009 postelection turmoil, has openly criticized the
   government in interviews with foreign media. Mazandarani, once detained
   in 2012, was working as the editor-in-chief of the moderate daily
   newspaper Farhikhtegan.

   The detentions follow the arrest of others, including two poets and a
   filmmaker. It also comes ahead of crucial February parliamentary
   elections and as hard-liners push against a nuclear deal with world
   powers.

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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/report-5-iranian-journalists-detained
   -in-ongoing-crackdown/3034349.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/report-5-iranian-journalists-detained-in-ongoing-crackdown/3034349.html