Abu Dhabi, December 28: A Syrian reporter working for Dubai TV in Iran has reportedly gone missing during anti-government protests in Tehran, a colleague says.
27-year-old journalist Reza al-Basha last contacted his family around 11 a.m. local time (0730 GMT) on Sunday, saying that he was stuck downtown, AFP quoted a colleague, who spoke on condition of anonymity, as saying.
“His two mobile lines have been off since then. We contacted the Foreign Press Bureau. The last thing they told us is that he is not among the dead and injured so he has most likely been arrested,” the colleague added.
Al-Basha is a resident journalist in Iran and has been working for Dubai TV for a year.
Anti-government protesters clashed with police forces on Sunday, as they took advantage of the Shia holy day of Ashura, which is the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (PBUH), to mount fresh protests.
At least five people died and over 300 were arrested, the police announced.
——Agencies