Thursday Feb. 23,2006
News update- Iran Emrooz online reporting from " IRNA ":

"Ms. Elham Afrotan" the journalist working for the local " Tamadon Hormozgan " newspaper , who have been detained because of the charges of publishing an internet article, in an interview with "IRNA " denied that she have commited suicide.

The Association of Writers in Iran in a communique demanded from the authority to clear up her situation and immediate release of Ms. Elham Afrotan.

On Wednesday In speaking with reporter from IRNA, she have said:The article which was published wasn't mine . I was unaware and found the article in the internet.

She denied that she had been in solitary confinement in Evin prison. On this regard she said: While in detention in the city of "Bandar Abbas" I was 9 days in solitary confinement but after i was transfered from Bandar Abbas to Tehran Evin prison I only spent 24 hours in solitary confinement and then i was transfered to the general cell .

When asked to explaine about her work and education she said: I am student of English translation and in addition to the profession of journalism and because of the financial need i work as an assistant to dentist in the city of Bandar Abbas.

She Added : I am working as a reporter for the local " Tamadon Hormozgan " newspaper and "Mr. Dirbaz " the MP from this city is the general manager of the newspaper and in contrary to the rumors; i'm not 19 years old but 21 .

About the article she said: On saturday one day before the " Aid Ghadir khom" (A shiet moslem festivity ) none of the person in charge of the newspaper was around and a section of the newspaper was blank , I looked in the internet and found an article " Lets disclose the ways to fight with Aids" from a person by the name of " M. F. Sokhan " , I chose this and without paying attention i sent it for the publication.

She also said : A week after the publication only 15 of this newspaper was sold and the rest was removed by the Ministry of Information.

She added: I'm the child of an army personnel and i call myself as the child of revolution and the effort of " Imam " Khomeini and i never in any way wanted to insult him. She denied of trying to kill herself and blamed that it's the report of "satelite news "and a few opportunist who report false news to instigate the public minds.She said : At present i'm in Evin prison in a general cell ( women section ) and the situation here is very good and most of the women are here because of financial reason...........

She said : Since i like to write tale for children, after my release i wants to write book about children of my country.

End/
Translated by IRAN WATCH CANADA
Link to this news :
http://www.iran-emrooz.net/index.php?/news1/more/7050/