Yaghoub Yad-Ali, an Iranian novelist, has been jailed since March 14, 2007 in the eastern city of Yasouj, Iran for what has been called "insulting ethnic groups and interfering with national security." The charges are related to two of his books, Halat-ha dar Hayat and Adab-e Bigharari (The Ritual of Restlessness), published in 1998 and 2004, respectively. Books published in Iran are first vetted by the Ministry of Islamic Culture and Guidance's censor office and must have an official permit. The charges of insult have been brought against the writer because in the first book he had described a "special" relationship between a female character who speaks Luri and a man other than her husband. The second book was awarded the 5th Golshiri Best Novel of the Year in 2004.

His conditions are reported to be grave. His request for release on bail has been denied by the judge.

(Via خوابگرد and BBC Persian.)

Labels: human_rights, iran