January 2, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The manager and editor of an Iranian news website have been freed less than a week after they were detained, apparently in connection with the release of video footage that could compromise one of the country's vice presidents, Radio Farda reports.
Manager Meysam Zamanabadi and editor Mohammad Zomorodian were detained on December 28 for allegedly posting images of Iranian Vice President Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei participating in a ceremony in Turkey where unveiled women were dancing.
Men are prohibited from watching women dance or sing under Iran's Islamic laws.
Rahim-Mashaei heads the country's Tourism and Cultural Heritage Organization.
The two iranews.org managers were reportedly released on December 30.
Reports say Zamanabadi was freed without bail and charges against the editor, Mohammad Zomorodian, were dropped.
In other news, Iran's Culture Ministry has announced that as of January 1 all Iran-based websites and blogs must register their Internet address with the ministry.
The announcement has led to protests among media rights activists, who see it as an attempt by the authorities to tighten their control of the Internet.
The spokesman of the Tehran-based Society To Defend Press Freedom, Mashaollah Shamsolvaezin, has described the move as a violation of Iran's consitution.
(with material from iranews.org)
Copyright (c) 2007 RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
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