Kurdish journalists detained
45 film stars barred from appearing on screen
Workers go on strike in central Iran Iran Focus
Mahabad – Two reporters were arrested in the Kurdish town of Mahabad (northwest Iran) on charges of writing articles against the interests of the state. The two, a brother and sister, Shamzin and Shirkou Jahani, were arrested last week by the security forces and subsequently interrogated by agents of the Intelligence Ministry for allegedly recruiting Kurdish rebels in the region who oppose the government.
45 film stars barred from appearing on screen
Tehran – 45 Iranian actors and actresses were banned from performing in further productions after being deemed as having unsuitable characteristics. The majority of those barred were women who had previously performed in films or TV serials, which had been censored for their unIslamic content. Nine of them had been previously arrested and given jail terms, fines and flogging sentences.
Workers go on strike in central Iran
Arak More than 300 workers from the main car manufacturing company in the city of Arak (central Iran) went on strike to protest government plans to scrap their pensions. Those on strike say despite original guarantees that workers would receive pensions upon retirement, officials now say that they cannot promise them pension once they retire. Factory workers have also complained of numerous illnesses as a result of poor working conditions.
