Bush Calls for Release of Jailed Iranian Journalist

President Bush is calling on the Iranian government to immediately release jailed investigative journalist Akbar Ganji, who is reported to be on a hunger strike.

A White House statement Tuesday said Mr. Ganji is only one victim of what it called a "wave of repression and human rights violations" by the Iranian government.

The statement said Mr. Bush is "saddened" by recent reports that Mr. Ganji is in poor health.

Earlier Tuesday, police clashed with some of the at least 200 people who staged a demonstration in Tehran to voice support for Mr. Ganji. His wife says Mr. Ganji is on a hunger strike to protest conditions in jail.

The journalist was arrested five years ago and sentenced to six years in prison for articles in which he alleged links between senior government officials and the killings and disappearance of opposition activists.