Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

HEARD THIS WEEK IN IRAN ON RADIO FARDA   May 21, 2009

 

U.S. Sets Deadline on Iran Nuclear Talks May 19 -- U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly tells a Radio Farda correspondent that "the U.S. is not going to be infinitely patient in waiting for an overture from the Iranian government on a serious bilateral dialogue after these past 30 years." [listen in Persian]   Prominent Iranian Rights Defender Wins Award May 20 -- Emadedin Baghi, founder of the Society for the Defense of Prisoners' Rights and winner of the 2009 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, tells Radio Farda, "I highly value the interest of people in other countries about human rights in Iran" [read in English / listen in Persian]   Woman Accused of Plotting "Soft Overthrow" Told To Convert May 20 -- The lawyer for Sylva Hartounian, who was arrested in 2008 with HIV/AIDS activists Kamiar and Arash Alaei on charges of planning a "soft overthrow of Iran's regime," says prison officials "have suggested that she convert from Christianity to Islam." [read in Persian]   Reformist Daily Relaunched, Banned One Day Later May 17 -- "Yas-e No," a reformist newspaper that was banned six years ago resumed publication on May 16, has again been shut down after only one issue. [read in English / listen in Persian]   Presidential Election and Iran's Economy May 19 -- Guests on Radio Farda's "Economy Magazine" examine the impact of economic issues on Iran's presidential election campaign. [read in Persian]