[Via Amnesty International]

About a month ago, Iranian authorities detained two music journalists from the office of Farhang va Ahang, a monthly music journal: Behrang Tonekaboni, editor of the publication, and Kayvan Farzin, a staff music critic. Neither has been seen since. Tonekaboni has asthma and a heart condition requiring medication. His mother, also a journalist and member of the organization Mothers for Peace, was arrested a couple weeks later, her house having been raided and computer confiscated. According to Amnesty International, “They appear to have been subjected to enforced disappearance and are at risk of torture.” Authorities refuse to reveal the whereabouts of the detainees or the reasons for their arrest, though it seems likely to be linked to the ongoing protests against the government in Iran since their disputed presidential elections last year.

Amnesty International urges us all, and Crawdaddy! further echoes the call, to support the disappeared journalists by sending appeals to the Head of the Provincial Judiciary in Tehran and the Iranian Embassy in the UK.  Visit amnesty.org.uk/behrang for details. Perhaps the most callous among readers out there might be thinking, “Gee, it’s too bad Pitchfork never opened up an office in Tehran,” but really this is no laughing matter. Thousands have been arrested since the protests erupted last June, of which many have reported being tortured or otherwise brutalized.

“All three should be protected from torture and allowed access to their families, lawyers and the medical assistance that they need,” Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen has stated. “And if they are being held solely for the peaceful expression of their views, they should be released immediately. The Iranian authorities have no right to lock people up just for speaking their minds.”