According to a report by Radio Zamaneh, 147 Iranian journalists have issued a statement calling for the release of Saba Azarpeyk, saying her arrest is “illegal.” The Kaleme opposition website reports that their statement refers to the arrest of Azarpeyk and the failure of authorities to inform her family about her situation as “illegal and dangerous.”

Saba Azarpeyk was arrested two weeks ago at the offices of the “Tejarat Farda” weekly, where she works.

Iranian MP Ali Motahari has said that he followed up on Azarpeyk’s arrest and is not certain who ordered the arrest. He has surmised that she was possibly arrested by the Media and Culture Court of the Prosecutor’s Office.

The journalists have expressed dismay at the judiciary’s failure to protect this journalist’s rights and urged the Ministry of Intelligence and the Press Office to pursue Azarpeyk’s case.