The CIoJ remembers Farzad Bazoft

This year sees the 18th anniversary of the execution of Farzad Bazoft writes CIoJ International Committee Member,  Mark Hayball, a former Private Secretary and Media Adviser to MPs from 1991 - 1997.

Observer Journalist Farzad Bazoft was executed in Iraq in March 1990 after a short trial that was held behind closed doors. He had been convicted of spying for Israel whilst working on a story relating to an explosion at a weapons complex near Baghdad.

Both the UK Government and our International partners appealed for clemency and President Saddam Hussein wrote to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to assure her Farzad would get a fair hearing. Sadly he was hanged on 15th March 1990 after both UK and International appeals for clemency fell on deaf ears.

The British Ambassador to Iraq at the time was asked to leave and all Ministerial visits were cancelled.

Farzad was an Institute Member of the then Fleet Street Branch and I am pleased to report that The Rev. Canon David Meara of St Bride's Church made special mention of this anniversary in a service held recently. The name Farzad Bazoft also appears in the Memorial Book at St Brides.

The Chartered Institute of Journalists never forget fallen colleagues.