An Iranian Travel Ban

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that Iran recently prevented a journalist from traveling abroad to receive a free expression award:

The French media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has expressed concern that Iranian journalist Taghi Rahmani was prevented from leaving Iran to attend a meeting of the International PEN writers' association.

Rahmani told Radio Farda that he was due to travel to Denmark on January 13, to give a speech and receive a prize awarded by the local section of the freedom of expression organization.

But he said authorities prevented him from leaving the country without giving him a reason.

The authorities "didn't mention any specific reason for banning me from leaving the country," he said. "They only implied that the trip would cause trouble for the establishment and for myself. Despite my efforts, the ban on me leaving the country was not removed."