Saeed Laylaz

Saeed Laylaz
Born c. 1966 (age 49–50)
Residence Tehran, Iran
Nationality Iranian
Occupation economist, journalist
Employer Shahid Beheshti University
Organization Sarmayeh
Known for 2009 imprisonment
Political party Executives of Construction Party

Saeed Laylaz (born c. 1966)[1] is an Iranian economist, journalist, and a former advisor to President Mohammad Khatami.[2] Laylaz was a pro-reform critic of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and was arrested as part of a general crackdown during the 2009–2010 Iranian election protests; his newspaper, the business daily Sarmayeh, was banned by government censors in November 2009.[3] He is a professor at Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University.[4]

2009 arrest

During the 2009 Iranian presidential election, Laylaz was a key adviser in the campaign of opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi.[4] After President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected amid allegations of voter fraud in June, Iran saw widespread protests.

On 17 June, Laylaz was arrested as part of a general crackdown on journalists.[3][5] A Sarmayeh husband-and-wife team, editor Bahman Ahmadi Amouee and reporter Jila Baniyaghoob, were arrested three days later.[6] On 2 December 2009, Laylaz was found guilty of "taking part in illegal gatherings" and "holding classified information", and was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment.[7] In March 2010, the sentence was reduced on appeal to three years.[8]

Laylaz's imprisonment drew international attention and protest from NGOs. Amnesty International designated him a prisoner of conscience, "detained solely for [his] peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression", and called for his immediate release.[9] Human Rights Watch called on the Iranian government to "halt the crackdown" and release Laylaz and the other detained.[5] The Committee to Protect Journalists described itself as "deeply concerned" by the sentence, calling it "highly politicized and unjustified".[10] Reporters Without Borders listed it as a "Press Freedom Violation".[8]

Personal life

Laylaz is married to Sepharnaz Panahi, with whom he has a daughter, Scheherazade, and a son, Mohammad-Hossein.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Borzou Daragahi (1 April 2010). "Two Iranian teens, two reactions to their father's jailing". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  2. ↑ "Saeed Laylaz". The Guardian. London. 27 March 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  3. 1 2 Fredrik Dahl (2 November 2009). "Iran bans pro-reform business daily". Reuters. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Raw Data: Economist Saeed Laylaz". Fox News. 17 June 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Iran: Halt the Crackdown". Human Rights Watch. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  6. ↑ Angela Charlton (21 June 2009). "At least 24 reporters arrested in Iran". Associated Press  – via HighBeam Research (subscription required) . Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  7. ↑ Reza Derakhshi (2 December 2009). "Iran editor gets 9-year jail term for vote protest". Reuters. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  8. 1 2 "Press Freedom Violations Recounted in Real Time". Reporters Without Borders. 22 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  9. ↑ "Iran: Further Information: Three Iranian Journalists Sentenced". Amnesty International. 8 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "Iran sentences two journalists to long prison terms". The Committee to Protect Journalists. 3 December 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
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