Web News - Iran: youths arrested for "happy" video released
- 10 years ago
In this edition: the 6 Iranian youths arrested for an online video have been released; controversy over an anti-Muslim ad campaign in the US; and step into the shoes of tennis champ Roger Federer.
IRAN: YOUTHS ARRESTED FOR "HAPPY" VIDEO RELEASED
The six Iranians who were arrested on Tuesday for posting a video online a few days earlier in which they are dancing to the Pharrell Williams mega hit “Happy” have been released on bail. Web users had been busy campaigning on social networks ever since news of the arrests broke, and are delighted with this latest development.
Many had posted under the #freehappyiranians Twitter hashtag, urging the Iranian authorities to free the six detainees. The online campaign was started by New York based Iranian author Kambiz Hosseini, and soon gained momentum online with thousands of web users including Pharrell Williams himself speaking up for the arrested youths.
One of the women involved in the offending video Reihane Taravati has hailed the overwhelming support. She has posted a message to Instagram, thanking all those who lobbied Tehran calling for her and her colleagues to be released.
The NGO “Iran Human Rights” suggests the six youths were only released because they publicly repented, and the online campaign did not play such a major role. The organization has issued a statement saying the six were forced to apologize on state television, and voice their regret for appearing in the video, and it was only then they were released.
USA: "ANTI-MUSLIM" BUS ADS SPARK CONTROVERSY
A new ad is running on 20 metro buses in Washington, USA. It`s headlined "Islamic Jew Hatred: it`s in the Quran"…... Go on reading on our web site.
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IRAN: YOUTHS ARRESTED FOR "HAPPY" VIDEO RELEASED
The six Iranians who were arrested on Tuesday for posting a video online a few days earlier in which they are dancing to the Pharrell Williams mega hit “Happy” have been released on bail. Web users had been busy campaigning on social networks ever since news of the arrests broke, and are delighted with this latest development.
Many had posted under the #freehappyiranians Twitter hashtag, urging the Iranian authorities to free the six detainees. The online campaign was started by New York based Iranian author Kambiz Hosseini, and soon gained momentum online with thousands of web users including Pharrell Williams himself speaking up for the arrested youths.
One of the women involved in the offending video Reihane Taravati has hailed the overwhelming support. She has posted a message to Instagram, thanking all those who lobbied Tehran calling for her and her colleagues to be released.
The NGO “Iran Human Rights” suggests the six youths were only released because they publicly repented, and the online campaign did not play such a major role. The organization has issued a statement saying the six were forced to apologize on state television, and voice their regret for appearing in the video, and it was only then they were released.
USA: "ANTI-MUSLIM" BUS ADS SPARK CONTROVERSY
A new ad is running on 20 metro buses in Washington, USA. It`s headlined "Islamic Jew Hatred: it`s in the Quran"…... Go on reading on our web site.
Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en