Maybe June 24, 2010 5:08 AM   Subscribe

Hoder gets first trial.

Tehran Revolutionary Court held Hossein Derakhshan’s first trial June 23rd, Fars News Agency reports.

His sister's blog, Free Hoder.
posted by netbros to MetaFilter-Related at 5:08 AM (36 comments total) 2 users marked this as a favorite

I call second!
posted by Eideteker at 5:13 AM on June 24, 2010


Thanks for the update.
posted by OmieWise at 5:16 AM on June 24, 2010


Netbros: Thank you for keeping this in front of us.

Eideteker: What do you mean?
posted by SLC Mom at 6:49 AM on June 24, 2010


Derakhshan, who is known as the father of Persian blogging, is accused of “cooperation with enemy states, propaganda against the Islamic regime, promoting anti-Revolutionary groups, insulting sanctities, launching and managing vulgar and obscene sites.”

Except for the "father of Persian blogging" bit, those charges could be said of any one of us here on Metafilter. If you want to realize just how important freedom of speech is and how much most of us take it for granted, think about that for a minute or two.
posted by orange swan at 6:55 AM on June 24, 2010 [8 favorites]


I keep meaning to finish that FPP. I'll try to get that done today between meetings. :(
posted by zarq at 7:02 AM on June 24, 2010


Thanks for the update, netbros.
posted by languagehat at 7:09 AM on June 24, 2010


Well, I am sure he'll get a fair trial. This whole thing makes me sick and I never knew the man.

I call second!

Not sure, but think he was doing a firsties type thing, but since that was taken....
posted by cjorgensen at 7:21 AM on June 24, 2010


> Not sure, but think he was doing a firsties type thing, but since that was taken....

1) This is not Fark, or wherever they do that shit.
2) It's not funny anyway.
posted by languagehat at 7:22 AM on June 24, 2010


Flagged Eideteker's comment. I know it's Metatalk, but the dude is in prison. In Iran. Not really a situation that calls for snark.
posted by desjardins at 7:30 AM on June 24, 2010 [2 favorites]


Guys, the whole point of flag and move on is so we can delete shitty comments without having to delete everyone else's comments saying "that was shitty." Eideteker, please knock that crap off.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:56 AM on June 24, 2010


appreciate the update, netbros.
posted by msconduct at 8:04 AM on June 24, 2010


What would we do without MetaFilter's humorless, poopy-faced moralists?

I don't know, but I'd like to find out.
posted by Crabby Appleton at 8:12 AM on June 24, 2010


Thanks, netbros.
posted by joedan at 8:33 AM on June 24, 2010


"Eideteker: What do you mean?"

He gets first trial? Like first shower? I'm pretty sure there was a word missing from that sentence.

"I know it's Metatalk, but the dude is in prison"

Dude is in prison. That deserves, you know, some amount of professionalism and/or respect. Not an OMG NO TIME TO PROOFREAD MUST BE FIRST!!! post.

So, you know, delete/ban as necessary. I stand by my original point, though, or I wouldn't have made it.
posted by Eideteker at 8:50 AM on June 24, 2010


And Jess, sorry for making work for you, but I thought my intent was clear (and not that big of a deal). It was a "c'mon, you can do better than this," light jab.
posted by Eideteker at 8:52 AM on June 24, 2010


Eideteker, I've been working on an extensive Blue post about hoder. Am about to send it to another mefite to ask for his review and suggestions.

After it's completed to our satisfaction, I'll be clearing the post with Team Mod, for several reasons. Among them: it's a sensitive topic, the post involves a MeFite and it contains a "here's how to get involved" link.

netbros, thank you for the reminder, and for the news. Very, very, very much appreciated.
posted by zarq at 8:58 AM on June 24, 2010


it contains a "here's how to get involved" link.

If this involves sending money or other "sign my petition" stuff then I'd suggest leaving it off and/or putting it in a later comment or putting the whole post in MetaTalk. I have been following the hoder story but I think it's more interesting from the "blogger in trouble" angle and not the "MeFite in trouble" angle and MeFi posts go a lot better when they're giving us news and information not when they're moving into "sign my petition" territory. Adding this note here because it might be something the community wants to chime in on, but that's my loose feeling.

That deserves, you know, some amount of professionalism and/or respect.

It's MeTa not MeFi, the post was fine.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:04 AM on June 24, 2010


He gets first trial? Like first shower? I'm pretty sure there was a word missing from that sentence.

It read fine to me as a pretty familiar headline style, dropped articles and possessives being common in newsy contexts. I know that Metafilter is not a newspaper and so it's not a gimme or anything, but I think you may be reading laziness into what's actually just a style choice.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:07 AM on June 24, 2010 [1 favorite]


The thought of someone considering themselves 'a professional MeTa poster' and what that would entail is positively chilling. Oh shit.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:17 AM on June 24, 2010


What can I say? The Gray is my home. I like to keep it nice.
posted by Eideteker at 9:31 AM on June 24, 2010 [1 favorite]


(btw, was aiming more for 'decorum' than professionalism' but oh well.)
posted by Eideteker at 9:44 AM on June 24, 2010


If this involves sending money or other "sign my petition" stuff then I'd suggest leaving it off and/or putting it in a later comment or putting the whole post in MetaTalk. I have been following the hoder story but I think it's more interesting from the "blogger in trouble" angle and not the "MeFite in trouble" angle and MeFi posts go a lot better when they're giving us news and information not when they're moving into "sign my petition" territory. Adding this note here because it might be something the community wants to chime in on, but that's my loose feeling.

Completely understand. I do realize that this is a touchy subject.

I just sent the draft of the post to burhanistan, per our conversation here, in the hopes that he might be able offer additional insight. I'm then planning to send the gmail doc link to cortex (and to you as well if you'd like) for your input and approval. I will not post anything unless y'all say it's okay.

I *think* the post is okay as written. (I tried not to make it Mefi centric.) But will accept any suggestions and input you offer. I want the post to survive and not turn into a giant flamewar! :)
posted by zarq at 10:00 AM on June 24, 2010


Can't wait, Zarq. I saw the draft you posted for an earlier, different post. You put a lot of work into these.
posted by hellojed at 10:05 AM on June 24, 2010


Good Luck Hoder!
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 10:15 AM on June 24, 2010




Thanks hellojed.

Right now I'm trying to walk that fine line between "unreadable linksplosion" and "decent post." ;)
posted by zarq at 10:22 AM on June 24, 2010


homunculus: yeah, the situation is actually pretty complex, which is why I've had such a difficult time composing a readable FPP. I have pretty much decided to only superficially mention this in the FPP. I may add it in a comment instead.

In '05, during a visit to Iran, Hoder was detained by authorities and forced to sign an apology to Iran for his internet postings, including his blog entries. He was told he wouldn't be released until he signed, so he did and was allowed to leave the country. His father supported Khatami.

After 2005, his columns slowly became increasingly defensive of Ahmadenijad and the Iranian regime. There was an accusation that he had also helped give evidence to the regime against another blogger. The irony of that link shouldn't be lost on anyone who reads it. Hoder was jailed and tortured in part for acts he said the Iranians did not jail and torture people for.

It's been speculated that his family was threatened, and he was being forced to cooperate. Hard to say.
posted by zarq at 10:35 AM on June 24, 2010


Why did Hoder go back to visit Iran after being detained on a visit there in '05?
posted by orange swan at 11:22 AM on June 24, 2010


He was visiting his family.

As I said, his posts had been increasingly supportive of the political upper echelon. Perhaps he felt that he wasn't in any real danger? I don't know for sure.
posted by zarq at 12:40 PM on June 24, 2010


NYT today.
posted by questionsandanchors at 12:43 PM on June 24, 2010


NYT today.

"Very little new information has been released beyond this fact, although I managed to get this quote via email from an source close to Derakhshan’s family:

“One trial session was held and although no family members were allowed in, but the family remains optimistic that no serious issues exist in his case. Plus, considering the fact that he has already served a long time in prison, most of which has been in solitary confinement, the family doesn’t expect a longer jail sentence. There are more court sessions to be held before the final verdict is out."

Good luck, Hoder!
posted by cashman at 1:18 PM on June 24, 2010


NYT today.

Thanks for this. Very helpful. :)
posted by zarq at 1:26 PM on June 24, 2010


What would we do without MetaFilter's humorless, poopy-faced moralists?

I don't know, but I'd like to find out.


Try 4chan.
posted by Astro Zombie at 1:40 PM on June 24, 2010 [4 favorites]


OK, it's up.
posted by zarq at 1:58 PM on June 24, 2010


I'd say that's turning out rather well. Nice post, zarq.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:04 PM on June 24, 2010


Thanks. :) And thank you for your excellent suggestions and tweaks, too.
posted by zarq at 8:39 PM on June 24, 2010


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