Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps “kidnapped” the body of an exiled Iranian journalist when it was returned to Iran for burial, his former employer has said.
Reza Haghighatnejad, who worked for Radio Farda, a US-funded Farsi outlet based in Prague, died following a long battle with cancer on Tuesday.
IRGC forces took his body to an unknown location after his coffin arrived at Shiraz airport, Radio Farda said on Wednesday.
His family had reportedly resisted pressure to bury him in a cemetery outside of Shiraz.
Haghighatnejad was forced to leave Iran after increased pressure on journalists following the 2008 elections.
He focused on corruption in Iran during his three years at Radio Farda, it said, producing reports on the petrochemical industry and the IRGC itself.
His last tweet, on October 3, was a video of schoolgirls protesting in Karaj.
Dissident journalists in Iran are regularly targeted by authorities.
At least 40 journalists have been arrested since the latest protests began in mid-September, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, which also said at least four were unaccounted for after a deadly fire at Evin prison on October 15.
Iran is the world's third biggest jailer of journalists.
In 2020, it executed journalist Ruhollah Zam, who had sought safety in France after the 2009 Green Movement protests. Reporter Without Borders said he was kidnapped and forcibly returned to Iran before being accused of espionage and “corruption on earth.”
At least 141 people have been killed since protests began over the death of Mahsa Amini on September 16.
The families of several protesters have claimed the IRGC has refused to release the bodies of protesters unless relatives deny they were killed by security forces.
IRGC forces also intervened in the funerals of the victims of Flight PS752, which was downed by the IRGC after take-off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport in January 2020, killing all 176 on board.
Families of the victims reported a heavy IRGC presence at burials and relatives were forced to bury their dead in “pre-selected graves.”
Fight card
1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)
9. Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
Meydan race card
6pm Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
6.35Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
1,800m
7.10pm Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m ,400m
7.45pm Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
8.20pm Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
8.55pm Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
9.30pm Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
More on Quran memorisation:
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
