Reza Marashi, National Iranian American Council's Research Director, has published a long heartfelt article in support of his now imprisoned friend Jason Rezaian.
Jason who for number of years has been Washington Posts’ resident journalist in Iran was arrested few days ago. His Iranian wife and two American photojournalists were also snatched at the same time in Tehran.
In his article Marashi goes into some detail about his close friendship with Jason including his help in getting Jason the job at Wash. Post as the resident reporter in Iran. He also talks about his last meeting with Jason in Vienna during the nuke talks and having had brunch at a restaurant together.
Given the Federal Court ruling against NIAC Lobby in the case it brought against one of its detractors accusing it of lobbying on behalf the Islamist fascists –“reformers” and all,
Given NIAC Lobby’s on the record opposition to U.N. and other human rights advocates asking for inclusion of human rights issue in the nuke talks,
And given Marashi not only sharing the same last with Rafsanjani’s wife, also, having worked in Tehran for one of his front companies, Atieh Bahar, acting as gateway for foreign conglomerates wanting ot do business in Iran inclining oil, three questions:
1- Is NIAC Lobby now ready to reconsider its opposition to the human rights issue?
2- Is it ok for a reporter friend to be recommended for such a crucial assignment by a lobby and for a newspaper such as Washington Post not revealing this fact?
3- Why does NIAC lobby attend all the nuke talks and who pays for all their globetrotting?
Sanctions works, U.S. Senate, get to it!
Ps. Jason, his wife Yeganeh (above picture), the two American Journalists, U.S. Marine Amir Hekmai, Pastor Abedini and all the many political and religious prisoners must immediately be release unconditionally.
These are fake dissidents ... the IRI imprisons them then sets them free to then use them as passionate advocates of "reform" as opposed to "regime change"
The best example is Maziar Bahari, Haleh Esfandiary and countless of others who then join Think Tanks in London or Washington to advocate dialogue with Iran's clerics.
Good news, Marashi's friend was released today. Bad news, all other prisoners including hundreds upon hundreds of Iranians and number of Americans are still held as captives.
Lets see if NIAC Lobby pressures its Islamist Fascist colleagues to release them as well.
told u
;)
Rezaian's reporting has been very much in the vein of showing a softer and more gentle side of the Mollah Regime to the world. It's not surprising that he is close friends with the IRI lobbyist and Malijak, Marashi.
@Fred, I don't think he has been released...YET. In fact, I believe today is Day 9 of him being held incommunicado. That being said, you raise perfectly valid points in your blog. Cheers.
Amir,
I try not to write anything unflattering about the Islamists’ captives until they are freed. When I wrote the blog, the news of his release had begun to circulate on the net. I still held back many points about his “reports” from Iran and kept to other issues.
Few hours later after I posted the blog, Al-Arabia confirmed his release. Here.
Dear Fred, I think there might be a discrepancy between the Persian-language article you linked to and the reports that I have read in English (I linked to one below that might account for the confusion as to whether Rezaian or someone else was actually released). As far as I can tell, Rezaian has not been released...YET. If there are other articles (particularly in English-language outlets) that say otherwise, please share. Keep up the good work.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/30/us-iran-arrest-rights-idUSKBN0FZ1H920140730
It seems that until yesterday at least, he was not released. NYT editorial board is pretty embarassed! Here it is.