The Arabist

The Arabist

By Issandr El Amrani and friends.

Iran paper closed for interviewing gay poet

Reformist paper closed by Iran for second time:

Authorities in Iran closed down the country's leading reformist newspaper yesterday in the latest stage of an offensive against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's opponents in the media.

Shargh, which has been critical of Mr Ahmadinejad, was ordered to shut after running an interview with an anti-regime poet last Saturday. The poet, Saghi Qahraman, has been accused by the country's Islamic rulers of promoting homosexuality.

The newspaper unsuccessfully attempted to placate official anger by publishing a front-page apology today after withdrawing the article from its website.
Absurd. Who will rid us of these turbulent priests? (No, W., not you please.)