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Iranian TV executive shot dead in Istanbul, Turkish media report | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Iranian founder of a popular Farsi-language satellite television network has been shot dead in Istanbul alongside a Kuwaiti business partner, according to Turkish media, months after reportedly being convicted of spreading “propaganda” against the Islamic Republic. | The Iranian founder of a popular Farsi-language satellite television network has been shot dead in Istanbul alongside a Kuwaiti business partner, according to Turkish media, months after reportedly being convicted of spreading “propaganda” against the Islamic Republic. |
GEM TV founder Saeed Karimian was travelling through Istanbul’s Maslak neighbourhood after 8pm (1700 GMT) on Saturday when the car was blocked by a Jeep and shots were fired, Turkey’s Doğan news agency said on Sunday. | GEM TV founder Saeed Karimian was travelling through Istanbul’s Maslak neighbourhood after 8pm (1700 GMT) on Saturday when the car was blocked by a Jeep and shots were fired, Turkey’s Doğan news agency said on Sunday. |
Karimian was found dead by emergency services. His associate was taken to hospital but could not be revived. | Karimian was found dead by emergency services. His associate was taken to hospital but could not be revived. |
Doğan described both victims as being of Iranian origin. Hürriyet Daily News identified Karimian as a British national and his associate as a Kuwaiti. | |
In a statement on its Facebook page, GEM TV confirmed Karimian had died but did not make clear the circumstances of the death. | In a statement on its Facebook page, GEM TV confirmed Karimian had died but did not make clear the circumstances of the death. |
Hürriyet reported that two masked shooters got out of the Jeep before opening fire. The vehicle was later found abandoned and burned. Istanbul police declined to comment on the shooting. | Hürriyet reported that two masked shooters got out of the Jeep before opening fire. The vehicle was later found abandoned and burned. Istanbul police declined to comment on the shooting. |
Doğan quoted the mayor of Istanbul’s Sarıyer district as saying initial police findings suggested the shooting may have been prompted by a financial disagreement involving Karimian. | Doğan quoted the mayor of Istanbul’s Sarıyer district as saying initial police findings suggested the shooting may have been prompted by a financial disagreement involving Karimian. |
GEM TV is known for entertainment satellite channels that dub foreign films and western programmes into Farsi for Iranians. It also produces movies and TV series. | GEM TV is known for entertainment satellite channels that dub foreign films and western programmes into Farsi for Iranians. It also produces movies and TV series. |
In Iran, where the government tries to instil Islamic values by strictly regulating popular culture, the satellite broadcaster’s programming has angered authorities, who view it as part of a cultural “soft war” waged by the west. | In Iran, where the government tries to instil Islamic values by strictly regulating popular culture, the satellite broadcaster’s programming has angered authorities, who view it as part of a cultural “soft war” waged by the west. |
While satellite television is popular in Iran, owning a satellite dish is illegal. Police and security forces occasionally smash dishes and seize receivers as authorities routinely denounce the western pop culture shown on satellite channels as decadent and un-Islamic. | While satellite television is popular in Iran, owning a satellite dish is illegal. Police and security forces occasionally smash dishes and seize receivers as authorities routinely denounce the western pop culture shown on satellite channels as decadent and un-Islamic. |
Last year a revolutionary court in Tehran tried Karimian in absentia and sentenced him to six years in jail on charges of “acting against national security” and “propaganda against the state”. | Last year a revolutionary court in Tehran tried Karimian in absentia and sentenced him to six years in jail on charges of “acting against national security” and “propaganda against the state”. |
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, considered to be close to the country’s hardline paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, described GEM as an opposition network and said Karimian had been given a prison sentence for “propaganda”, without elaborating. | Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, considered to be close to the country’s hardline paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, described GEM as an opposition network and said Karimian had been given a prison sentence for “propaganda”, without elaborating. |
Associated Press contributed to this report | Associated Press contributed to this report |