Paulo Coelho banned in Iran

Brazilian author Paulo Coelho's books were banned by Iran with no explanation, the author's publisher says.

BRASILIA:

World renowned author, Paulo Coelho has sold more than 115 million books in more than 160 countries. The Alchemistalone, has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, according to the website of Harper Collins Publishers.

However, recently it was reported that the author has been banned in Iran. Ironically, Coelho has previously sold 6 million books in Iran and has even expressed online support for his publisher, Arash Hejazi.

The Brazilian author has accused Iran of banning his books on Monday, posted a blog on his website saying, “My books have been published in Iran since 1998, in different publishing houses.”

The author was first informed by his Iranian publisher Hejazi — active in the Iranian opposition — who told him that his books were being banned by order of the Ministry of Culture, without providing a valid reason or any kind of explanation.

The author ended his blog post by publishing Hejazi’s letter informing him of the ban, “we will have the books for free download on the internet.”

Although puzzled by the resilient storm against him, Coelho remains hopeful, “An arbitrary decision, after 12 years of publication in the country, can only be a misunderstanding. I hope this misunderstanding will be solved this week.” Coelho remains optimistic as he intends to seek help from the Brazilian authorities to overturn the move.

Meanwhile, Brazilian Minister of Culture Ana de Hollanda said that censorship is “always deplorable,” in a statement published by the official outlet Brazil Agency on Monday. She also said she would discuss the matter with Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota. And while the Brazilian’s came forth to make a statement, the Iranian Embassy in Brasilia chose not to comment when approached by Bloomberg News.

WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2011.