Maziar Bahari – free at last after 119 days in jail
Lindsey Hilsum celebrates the release from prison in Iran of journalist Maziar Bahari, who worked for Channel 4 News in Tehran during the Iranian elections and who was arrested on 21 June.
On Saturday, Maziar Bahari was released from prison in Iran on bail. On Tuesday, he was allowed to fly to London to join his partner, Paola, who is expecting their first child.
It’s hard to find the words to express the relief and joy felt in the Channel 4 newsroom. Maziar, who is also a correspondent for Newsweek, has made films for us in Iran, Iraq and beyond. Our team worked alongside him in Tehran during the June elections.
He was arrested on 21 June, just as we were leaving, and held in solitary confinement, accused of working with the foreign media to foment a “velvet revolution”. He was charged with espionage.
During his incarceration, we tried hard to say nothing about his case which could endanger him or make his situation worse, all the while campaigning for his release. In time, he may choose to tell us what he has endured during these long months but for the moment all that matters is that he should be with Paola and – very soon – their baby.
My delight is tempered by learning that Kian Tajbakhsh, who works for the Open Society Institute, has been sentenced to between 12 and 15 years. Saeed Laylaz and Isa Saharkhiz, commentators we have interviewed several times, also remain behind bars alongside reformist politicians and others.
Maziar has been released, but we won’t forget those he leaves behind in Evin prison.