Canadian blogger feared arrested in Iran

Bloggers worldwide are abuzz over a report that Hossein Derakhshan, a popular Iranian-Canadian writer once dubbed the Blogfather, has been arrested in Iran.

Iran's Jahan News Agency, which is said to be tied to Tehran's theocratic government, reported the arrest Monday, saying Mr. Derakhshan, 34, was suspected of spying for Israel.

Mr. Derakhshan, also known as Hoder, keeps a blog in both Persian and English. The daily blog ominously stopped publishing late last month, and between each blog and his Facebook account, there's been no online trace of Hoder since Oct. 30.

But one rival blogger, who didn't want to be identified, said the arrest was only rumour. The blogger said another blogosphere theory is that Mr. Derakhshan is holed up with friends in France, feigning his arrest.

Internet Links Follow us on Twitter: Get the latest updates from Globetechnology.com Interactive Timeline: Yang's 17 turbulent months at Yahoo's helm Jillian York, a Boston-based activist who struck up an online thread to find Hoder, said everyone is wary, given the lack of concrete information regarding his whereabouts.

Other rumours include a denial of the arrest, reportedly made by Mr. Derakhshan's mother, as well as a comment from another family member who broke ranks and said the blogger had indeed been arrested.

Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, which should be told when Canadians are arrested in another country, said Tehran hasn't given any notice of Mr. Derakhshan's arrest.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has not received notification of the arrest of this individual in Iran," spokesman Rodney Moore

My prelim. speculation:

1. This blogger was surprisingly accurate and well informed.

2. If he went or was enticed to Iran or anywhere near the borders (even Turkey, Dubai or Bahrain) where he could be kidnaped and transfered to islamic Iran, then he is an idiot.

3. If he entered Iran of his own volition then he is an even greater idiot and deserves what happens to him.

4. If he is being held by the Mullahs, his mother would be easily threatened to deny his arrest with “death to your son” if you say anything.

5. With so many Mullah operatives and jihadists in Canada, he might well come under lethal threat and have to make himself scarce.

6. It is even possible under those circumstances that he was lifted in Canada and transfered to Iran. Or held in some remote Candadian location. There are more islamic operatives of the worst kind per square inch in Canada than in most places.

That’s the playing field - unless he is a Mullah plant and has put his foot wrong. I do not subscribe to this for now. It’s the other side of the coin and worth mentioning only for that. There are quite a few peple in Canada sent there by the Mullahs, wno play both sides of the fence.

They are instructed to behave as vehemently “anti-regime” to install themselves in the opposition good graces. some end up believing their own role and switching sides. Then get punished by their original masters.

No accusations intended. On the contrary I would worry at the loss of this blogger and his predicament.

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_920.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Fri Nov 21 2008 19:47:03 GMT-0800 (PST).

IRAN

September 15, 2008

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Iran. Dual national Iranian-American citizens may encounter difficulty in departing Iran. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran issued January 3, 2008.

Some elements of the Iranian regime and the population remain hostile to the United States. As a result, American citizens may be subject to harassment or arrest while traveling or residing in Iran. In 2007, Iranian authorities prevented a number of Iranian-American citizen academics, journalists, and others who traveled to Iran for personal reasons from leaving for several months, and in some cases detained and imprisoned them on various charges, including espionage and posing a threat to national security. Americans of Iranian origin should consider the risk of being targeted by authorities before planning travel to Iran. Iranian authorities may deny dual nationals access to the United States Interests Section in Tehran, because they are considered to be solely Iranian citizens.

The Iranian regime continues to repress its minority religious and ethnic groups, including Bahai, Arabs, Kurds, Azeris, and others. Consequently, some areas within the country where these minorities reside, including the Baluchistan border area near Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Kurdish northwest of the country, and areas near the Iraqi border, remain unsafe. Armed attacks on the road between Bam and Kerman in May 2007 also render this area unsafe.

Large-scale demonstrations have taken place in various regions throughout Iran over the past several years as a result of a sometimes volatile political climate. U.S. citizens who travel to Iran despite this Travel Warning should exercise caution.

The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran. The Iranian Government does not recognize dual citizenship and generally does not permit the Swiss to provide protective services for U.S. citizens who are also Iranian nationals. U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are considered by Iran to be Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities. Former Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who encourage Muslims to convert, are subject to arrest and prosecution.

Americans who travel or reside in Iran despite this Travel Warning are strongly encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. If they are in Tehran, American citizens may also register in person at the U.S. Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy at Africa Avenue, West Farzan Street, no. 59, Tehran. The local telephone numbers are 021-8878-2964 and 021-8879-2364, fax 021-8877-3265, e-mail: tie.vertretung@eda.admin.ch.

U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Iran, and the current Worldwide Caution, which are located on the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may also obtain updated information on travel and security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, from outside the United States and Canada, 1-202-501-4444.

Answering the Unasked Question: No, I doubt he is a spy. Iran is so jumpy lately they have arrested squirrels and pigeons for spying. Yes, this is true. (P.S. If anyone can make a small graphic of a spy pigeon; I’ll add it on to my Iran page. Thank you.)

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3624854,00.html

“Report: Iranian blogger who visited Israel arrested in Tehran”

SNIPPET: “Iranian website says famous blogger Hossein Derakhshan, who visited Israel twice in recent years, detained in Tehran shortly after returning to country from Canada. Site claims blogger admitted to spying for Israel”

Dudi Cohen
Published: 11.18.08, 13:53 / Israel News

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “An Iranian blogger who recently visited Israel was arrested in Tehran, an Iranian website reported on Monday. The blogger, Hossein Derakhshan, who runs one of the most popular blogs in his country, returned to Iran several weeks ago after a long stay in Canada.”

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Derakhshan visited Israel on two occasions. In 2006 he attended a seminar on blog writing held at the Ben Gurion University in Beersheba. During that trip he told Ynet that the main objective of his visit was to “break the taboo” of Israeli-Iranian relations.”

Previously...

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3486525,00.html

“Iranian blogger to Ynet: Message of peace is stronger than any fear”

SNIPPET: “Anyone who thinks Iranian criticism of the regime is not alive and kicking hasn’t been to ‘blogistan’- the 900 thousand- strong world of Iranian web-loggers. In an open letter to Israelis, one Iranian blogger criticizes his government’s position on Israel”

Dudi Cohen
Published: 12.25.07, 12:52 / Israel News

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