Shahram Homayoun
Shahram Homayoun (Persian: شهرام همایون) is an Iranian political dissident, political activist and the owner of “Channel one”, a Persian satellite TV station based in Los Angeles, California that broadcasts into Iran on a daily basis.[1]
Exile
Shahram Homayoun fled Iran for the United States in 1991. He was a marked man in Iran, because of his support for democracy and human rights and his opposition to the Iranian government. He has resided in Los Angeles, California ever since.[1][2]
Interpol Arrest Warrant
According to the Iranian government, Mr. Homayoun “encouraged his audience to engage in acts of terrorism against the Islamic government such as writing slogans (on walls) and resisting the security forces.”[3] Independent observers accuse the Iranian government of using Interpol to target political dissidents abroad.[1][3][4]
Despite Interpol's "Red Notice" against Homayoun however, The Federal Bureau of Investigation has assured him that he would be safe as long as he remains in the United States.[1]
Activities
Homayoun has established a Persian satellite TV network based in Los Angeles that broadcasts 24/7 into Iran. The TV channel, named "Channel One" includes programs by Homayoun himself as well as other dissidents and political activists such as Alireza Nourizadeh and Mohsen Sazegara.[5]
He has also started the Ma Hastim movement which, according to some analysts, has had a "significant influence on Iranian masses" as can be seen by the "numerous slogans" written on Iran's city walls in its support.[6] Recently the Ma Hastim movement, funded by its supporters, built a symbolic cemetery in New York City containing symbolic graves and tombstones of Iranian dissidents and political activists, such as Neda Agha Soltan, killed by the Iranian government since 2009.[7]
Views
Homayoun supports Iranian/Persian nationalism and supports government change in Iran. He believes that the government in Iran should be treated rather "like South Africa in the apartheid fight, banning it from all international organizations, embargoing its sports teams, barring its officials from traveling in the West and seizing the rulers' assets abroad."[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "CBN News". Retrieved 2010-11-06.
- 1 2 MacFarquhar, Neil (2006-05-09). "New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
- 1 2 "Faith Freedom International". Retrieved 2010-11-06.
- ↑ "Indy Posted". Retrieved 2010-11-06.
- ↑ "Alireza Nourizadeh's Website". Retrieved 2010-11-06.
- ↑ "Gooya News". Retrieved 2010-11-06.
- ↑ "Gooya News". Retrieved 2010-11-06.