The price paid for blogging Iran

[democratic]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4283231.stm

Iran is becoming an increasingly dangerous place to keep an online diary. Web logs have become a popular forum for dissent. And the Iranian government has responded by arresting dozens of bloggers.

Some of those detained are reportedly being held in solitary confinement and tortured.

"Saminejad was kept in solitary confinement for 88 days, and he was subjected to severe beatings and torture. He was briefly released on 27 January for a short time, but because bail had been set at $125,000, and he wasn't able to pay that, he was rearrested, and his conditions are unknown."

"If you don't react to that, and show the Iranians that this could cost them in international relations, they could keep on doing that, and arrest all the people who wrote a single post criticizing the Islamic regime."

Human rights groups and bloggers are trying to help.

Reporters without Borders is trying to pressure Iranian officials to release all detained bloggers and cyber-dissidents.

The Association of Iranian Blogwriters, called Penlog, is demanding that the Iranian judiciary either formally charge Mojtaba Saminejad, or release him immediately.

[justiceischeap]

1. I could see BushCo saying this is a good idea

I wonder how long it will take the US to start putting pressure on blogs.