Ruhollah Zam was executed in Iran this past weekend. As the editor of Amad News, he was accused by the government of provoking violence during the 2017 protest in Iran.
Here is what he actually did:
- Shared the timing and details of pro-democracy student-led demonstrations
- Exposed corruption and depraved behavior by Clerics and Government Officials
- Helped to give voice to Iranian Dissidents
- Helped facilitate the escape of Iranian Dissidents to Western Countries
Ruhollah Zam was living in exile in Paris but was lured back to Tehran under false pretenses by the government.
He was executed before his family was notified and so that, as Amnesty International points out, there could be no international campaign to call for his release.
Needless to say, at a time when protests are gripping our own country, when we are reporting on the movement of pro-reform, pro-democracy student protesters who are holding their own anti-authoritarian rallies throughout the country, those charges ring a little too close to home.
Journalism is not a crime. The murder of Mr Zam is not only unjust but it strengthens authoritarianism the world over and weakens the power of the press and the power to hold governments to account.
We at Thai Enquirer call on the relevant United Nations organizations and world governments to hold Iran and the Tehran government to account.
We also offer our solidarity, our condolences, and our support to Mr Zam’s family.