Iran: Prominent Journalist Receives Press-Freedom Award

Akbar Ganji after receiving his Golden Pen award on June 5 (epa) One of Iran’s best-known investigative journalists, Akbar Ganji, was at a Moscow ceremony today to receive the World Association of Newspapers' (WAN) Golden Pen of Freedom award. Ganji has spent the past six years in jail for articles that implicated senior Iranian officials in the killing of dissident intellectuals in 1998. In presenting the award, the World Association of Newspapers called on Iranian authorities to respect its citizens' right to free expression. Ganji remains outspoken in his defense of human rights and a free press.

PRAGUE, June 5, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Ganji dedicated his award to the casualties of the "series" of killings in 1998 and what he suggests is the subsequent cover-up.

“This prize should go to those who on the path of fighting for freedom and human rights were slaughtered during the serial murders," he told attendees of today's ceremony.

Authorities have blamed the deaths on rogue elements in the Intelligence Ministry. But Ganji -- in articles and in a compilation titled "Dungeon Of Ghosts" -- has implicated senior Iranian officials. They include former President Ali-Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani -- who now chairs the powerful Expediency Council -- and former Intelligence Minister Ali Falahian.

Dedicated To The Victims

Speaking today, Ganji dedicated his prize to the political prisoners who were executed in prisons across Iran in late 1980s and to other victims of human rights abuses.

Ganji and his wife after his release from prison on March 18 (Fars)

“This prize belongs to all of those who were tortured and paralyzed merely because they worked in journalism and defended freedom of thought," Ganji said. "The prize should go to all the dissidents who were imprisoned in past years and deprived of their social rights. The prize should belong to all those [critics and independent thinkers] who, because they dare to think differently, have been forced into exile and continue to live while remembering Iran and cannot return to the country.”

Ganji also said he accepted the prize on behalf of the groups that are fighting for human rights in Iran.

Punished, Not Silenced

Ganji was sentenced to six years in prison in 2001 on several charges, including threatening Iranian national security and insulting the country's leaders. He was released in March.

He spent most of his prison term in solitary confinement while reportedly being pressured to give up his writing and opinions.

Ganji launched a hunger strike in 2005 to demand his release that lasted more than 40 days. While on medical leave last year, he called for a boycott of Iran’s presidential elections.

Ganji during his hunger strike in July 2005 (courtesy photo)

Ganji published a two-volume book from prison in which he challenged the authority of Iran's supreme leader and said real democracy cannot be achieved under the country's current system.

In Moscow today, Ganji said his slogan in fighting oppression and violence is, “Forgive, but never forget." Ganji also urged his audience to remember the conditions that led to the creation of fascism and totalitarianism, and other forms of dictatorship.

More Appearances, Then Back To Iran

After his trip to Moscow, Ganji is scheduled to continue his international travels for appearances in Germany, Italy, and the United States.

In an interview with Radio Farda today, he vowed to return to his homeland, where -- despite his persistent calls for justice and reform in the highest echelons of power -- he does not fear arrest.

“Today more than 1,700 representatives of important newspapers and publications were here. They all gave me a warm welcome," Ganji told Radio Farda. "The ambassadors of different countries, even Islamic countries, also expressed their solidarity. And some of them asked me with humor, 'Why is the Iranian ambassador not present?' There is moral international support for Iranian free thinkers; but at the same time whoever fights for democracy, freedom, and human rights in countries like Iran should know that there are threats and there is a price to pay for democracy. I’ve been six years and three months in prison, and I’m used to the life there.”

Ganji is the second Iranian journalist to have won the Golden Pen of Freedom award. In 1999, Faraj Sarkuhi received the award. Sarkuhi is the former editor of "Adineh" magazine, and now lives in exile in Germany.

(RFE/RL’s Russian Service contributed to this report.)