Well-Known Iranian Cartoonist Arrested In Tehran

Iranian cartoonist Hadi Heidari

A well-known Iranian cartoonist, Hadi Heidari, has been arrested in Tehran.

The reason for Heidari’s arrest and the charges against him are not clear.

Heidari, who worked with reformist publications, was also arrested in the 2009 crackdown that followed the disputed reelection of former President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.

His arrest comes about two weeks after authorities arrested five journalists, including former Culture Ministry official Issa Saharkhiz.

Meanwhile, Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian remains in jail in Tehran following his trial earlier this year, on espionage charges, dismissed by his paper and family.

The U.S.-based Committee To Protect Journalists says Iran is consistently one of the worst jailers of journalists.

"Iran's jails are already packed with journalists who are facing spurious charges for the simple act of voicing criticism or independent views," said Sherif Mansour, CPJ's Middle East and North Africa program coordinator, on November 4 in reaction to the new arrests.