Iranian TV executive shot dead in Istanbul

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 Guardian reports.

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 Dogan news agency said on Sunday. Karimian was found dead by emergency services. His associate was taken to hospital but could not be revived.

Dogan described both victims as being of Iranian origin. The Hurriyet 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 without making clear the circumstances of the death.