Latest posts by Fred Petrossian
Iran: Lives of several imprisoned journalists and netizens in danger
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says lives of several imprisoned journalists and netizens are in danger in Iran.
Iran: Songs of Freedom
United4Iran, a non-profit organization campaigning for human rights in Iran has created an online music compilation designed to revive hope for freedom for Iranians.
Iran: Is LGBT an Online Reality?
Homosexuality, which is banned in Iran, is punishable by prison or death. Fred Petrossian speaks to a researcher who led a team which studied how Iranian LGBT communities use internet in their daily lives.
Jailed Iranian Blogger Begins Dry Hunger Strike
The painful story of Iranian bloggers has a new face these days: Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, a jailed blogger who is serving a 15-year sentence in prison. Hossein has been on hunger strike since May, and has now stopped drinking water as well.
Iran: “Pepsi-Cola advertisement on the moon”
Several bloggers and LensIran site talk about considerable number of Iranians who observed the moon from their roof tops to watch Pepsi-Cola commercial on the moon !! published by a news agency ISNA , apparently extracted from a bogus email on Tuesday 6 June.
Iran: A Blogger's Life in Danger
Hossein Ronaghi Maleki,jailed blogger,has started his hunger strike since last Saturday.His health conditions are in dire situation and he was moved for two hours to a hospital [fa].Another political prisoner started[fa] hunger strike to support him.
Iran: LGBT, an online reality?
“LGBT Republic of Iran: An Online reality?” a new study published by “Small Media”,a London based non profit organization, shows how Iranian's LGBT communities use internet in their daily lives.
Iran: Deprivation of Medical Care Jeopardizes Blogger’s Life
Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, Iranian blogger, is in dire condition serving 15-year prison term. Father says months-long torture caused kidney failure.
Iran: “Let's Save Lake Urmia With Our Tears”
Protesters fighting to save Lake Urmia in Iran from permanent environmental damage have not given up. In protests across the Azerbaijan region of Iran, they called on government to protect one of the world's largest salt water lakes.
Iran: Cyber Hezbollah Meeting
Farsnews reported “Cyber Hezbollah’ will hold its eighth meeting in Tehran on Wendesday.One of main points of discussion is Shahin Najafi‘s “insults regarding one Shi'ite Saint.”
Iran: Hadi Net,a new religious Social Networking
Islamic Republic has launched a new social networking called “Hadi Net“. Iranian media reported[fa] this social networking is an answer to Shahin Najafi‘s “insults regarding one Shi'ite Imam.”
Iran: Protesting against Google
Iranians have been complaining that Google Maps now has no name on the body of water called the Persian Gulf.IranFarda says [fa] Mr.Google do you like we call you, Yahoo?
Iran: Buying book can become dangerous
Several bloggers published a photo where a woman pushed to the ground by the security forces in a book fair. Gargagarga writes it happens in book fair and everybody is watching. It seems people get used to seeing such scenes.
Iran: A blogger was arrested
Iranian cyber police (Fata) announced [fa] a blogger in the northern city of Rasht was arrested. The blogger was accused of writing in his blog against Rasht's authorities and trying to “disturb public opinion”. Iranian police did not mention the blogger's name.
Iran: Cartoonist Eludes Sentence of 25 Lashes for Drawing Politician
An Iranian cartoonist, Mahmoud Shokraye, was sentenced to 25 lashes for drawing a cartoon of former conservative member of parliament, Ahmad Lotfi Ashtyani in the Arak region. A campaign to support the cartoonist was launched online.
Iran: Calls for killing of ‘apostate’ rap artist
Several bloggers announced their support to Shahin Najafi, Europe based Iran singer.A Shi’ite cleric, has issued a death sentence against rap artist Shahin Najafi for apostasy. The sentence was issued after Najafi released a controversial song called “Naqi” (a Shi'ite saint).
Iran: Street Sweeper Finds and Returns $500,000
An Iranian street sweeper named Ahmad Rabani found 1 billion Toman (about $570,000 US dollars) and returned it to the owner. As thanks, he received a 200,000 Toman ($120 US dollars) reward.
Iran: Cockroaches and New Hijab Crackdown
Iranian bloggers protested against security forces who launched new hijab(veil) crackdown in Tehran. A Balatarin user published a photo of two agents and write they are like cockroaches when the weather becomes hot, they reappear.
Iran: Jailed blogger's open letter to Head of the Judiciary
Jailed blogger and human rights activist,Hossein Ronaghi Maleki,wrote [fa] an open letter to Iranian Head of the Judiciary,Amoli Larijani to protest against his conditions. The blogger says he refuses to be operated in prison and he wants to go to hospital.
Iran: Opposition sites under cyber attack
Several blogs and sites reported [fa] in recent days several Iranian reformist and green sites such as daneshjoonews have been under cyber attack.
Accused of Molesting Children, Iranian Diplomat Leaves Brazil
An Iranian diplomat based in the capital of Brazil, Brasilia, was accused of molesting underage girls at a swimming pool on April 14, 2012. While Iran's embassy denied the allegations, and said they were the result of a "cultural misunderstanding", netizens both from Iran and Brazil didn't take long to react.