International   

Teheran closes newspaper

TEHERAN: The Government closed one of the country's top three newspapers on Tuesday, detaining its editor and cartoonist, for publishing a caricature that caused members of Iran's Azeri minority to riot in protest. State television reported that the Press Supervisory Body had closed the state-owned Iran, ``due to its publication of divisive and provocative materials.'' The closure was indefinite, the television reported. It was the first time a newspaper had been banned since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took office last year. Teheran Prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi went on television to say the paper's cartoonist and editor-in-chief had been detained. ``Those responsible, the cartoonist and the chief editor, were summoned and the charges were read to them. The two were taken to Evin prison,'' Mr. Mortazavi said. — AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

TULF leader seeks Karunanidhi's help
Ex-Soviet states form new group
Gas price issue delays pipeline
Thaksin returns to work
UAE to aid Turkmenistan project
Bush, Blair to discuss Iraq exit
Teheran closes newspaper
Land the world forgot
Fiji Cabinet sworn in
India a major investor in Russia

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu