Iran is intimidating our staff, says BBC in complaint to UN

THE BBC has complained to the United Nations, saying that Iranian authorities have launched an investigation into more than 150 of its staff for “conspiracy against national security”.

The investigation follows a “sustained campaign of intimidation and harassment” by the Iranian government designed to pressure journalists to cease working for the BBC, the broadcaster said in a complaint to David Kaye, the UN special rapporteur on the protection of the right to freedom of expression.

The BBC said Iranian authorities were investigating 152 Persian service staff, former staff, and contributors for conspiracy against national security. It said the government had also imposed an asset freeze on BBC Persian staff.

“This is an unprecedented collective punishment of journalists who are simply doing their jobs,” said Tony Hall, director-general of the BBC, in a statement. “This is not just a campaign against BBC Persian staff but against fundamental human rights, and the BBC calls on the government of Iran to end this legal action immediately.”

The BBC Persian service is banned in Iran and broadcasts from London. It claims to have 12million listeners and viewers in the Persian-speaking world.

The Iranian foreign ministry was not immediately available for comment.