Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahar was released on bail from Tehran’s Evin prison on Saturday, 17 October upon payment of approximately $300,000 (US) bail.

Bahar, a well-known documentary filmmaker and reporter for Newsweek, was held in prison without charges for 118 days in solitary confinement under accusation of spying. He was jailed on 21 June during the clamp down on dissent that followed the presidential election. The reason behind Bahar’s release remains unclear.

Numerous international organisations as well as authors, filmmakers, Nobel price winners and representatives of governments have campaigned for Bahar’s release.

“The release of Maziar Bahar comes as very good news. However, this should not obfuscate the fact that over 24 journalists are currently being held in Iran’s prison,” said IPI Deputy-Director Alison Bethel McKenzie. “We urge the Iranian authorities to immediately release all journalists held in connection with their professional activities and therewith show respect for international human rights treaties.”

Bahar, who holds both Canadian and Iranian passports, has requested that he be allowed to leave the country. His wife is expecting to give birth next week in the United Kingdom. Iranian authorities have yet to confirm that Bahar can leave the country.

The 12 June announcement of conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election was followed by widespread demonstrations in Iran. In a 19 June speech, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the foreign media “evil” and accused them of dividing the Iranian people and inciting dissent.

At least 19 journalists have been arrested in Iran since the June presidential elections, according to the information before IPI.