Iranian reformist journalist freed on bail

A reformist journalist in Iran, who was arrested last week, has been released on bail.

The journalist, Mohammad-Baqer Vali-Beig, was freed from Evin prison last night after a bail payment equivalent to twenty-five-thousand dollars.

Mr Vali-Beig is head of the Jame-e Rouz Today's Society publishing house which was founded soon after the election of President Khatami in 1997.

He has published some of the most prominent reformist newspapers in Iran.

Correspondents say that since losing power in parliament a year ago, Iran's conservatives, mainly in the judiciary, have tried to reassert their power by closing reformist newspapers and jailing prominent journalists. About fifteen journalists are now in jail in Iran, either serving sentences or awaiting trial.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service