Iranian opposition showing its green colours and discontent following the Iranian presidential election 12 June. Photo: Syma Sayyah/Payvand.com

In a latest crack-down on media and the freedom of expression, Iranian authorities have shut down the office of the Association of Iranian Journalists (AoIJ) in Teheran

It happened only shortly after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was sworn in for a second term following the disputed June 12 presidential election.

The office was sealed off as the members of the association were expected to hold the second round of their general assembly.

According to a journalist source in Teheran, journalists turned up at the offices of the association upon learning the news - signing the door to show they were there to defend their rights.

A scheduled meeting in the AoIJ on the post-election arrests which was supposed to take place a few weeks ago was called off following contacts from security and intelligence officials, according to the AoIJ's secretary.

The Association of Iranian Journalists is a partner to IMS' programme to strengthen journalists associations and syndicates in the Arab world and Iran.

International reactions

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on Iranian authorities to end the campaign of intimidation of journalists in the country.

"There must be an end to intimidation of journalists if there is to be a new dialogue", says Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.

According to IFJ, three more journalists were arrested in Teheran this week, totalling the number of jailed journalists at 42.