The French Foreign Ministry has responded to the execution of the head of the news portal Amad News Ruhollah Zama, who lived in the country. This was reported by RIA Novosti .
The French department condemned the execution of the journalist, calling it a serious attack on freedom of speech in Iran. “This is a barbaric and unacceptable act, contrary to the international obligations of this country. France reiterates its constant rejection of the death penalty everywhere and under any circumstances,” they noted.
Iranian journalist was executed on December 12. A few days earlier, Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the June verdict.
Zam was detained in October 2019 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It was alleged that intelligence had been following the journalist for many years. According to them, he collaborated with foreign intelligence services and wanted to “bring the country to confusion.” In June of this year he was sentenced to death.
In 2017-2018, Zam was actively involved in covering protest actions in Iran, while his place of permanent residence was France. The Iranian authorities have repeatedly called Amad News an anti-government resource.