Azerbaijan, Baku, July 10 / Trend T. Jafarov /
About 23 news websites issued a joint statement as a protest in connection with closing "Alef" news website belonging to parliamentary representative AAhmad Tavakkoli. The website criticized Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government, MEHR agency reported today.
According to the Tehran prosecutor's office, the activity of "Alef" website was suspended on Monday.
The reasons of closing the website have not been specified. But representative of Iran's judiciary system Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejehei stressed that closing the website is legitimate.
The joint statement was signed by 23 Iran's well-known news websites, including Rajanews, Fardanews, Mashreghnews, Fararu, Siratnews, 598, Bultennews, Iran diplomacy. They urge to rapidly restore the activity of the website.
In March, "Alef" news website wanted to conduct an interview with the spokesman of the U.S. State Department on Iran Alan Eyre. The website appealed to its readers and invited them to participate in the interview.
This step of the news website caused a sharp protest of the Iranian government. The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance issued a statement which criticized these actions.
According to pro-government websites, "Alef" is the U.S "platform".