International Federation of Journalists Calls for Revocation of Kiyan Samimi’s Prison Sentence
The International Federation of Journalists condemned the prison sentence of Kiyan Samimi, a journalist and one of those arrested on International Workers’ Day in Iran, and called for the revocation of this ruling.
On Thursday, April 24, the International Federation of Journalists issued a statement condemning the five-year prison sentence handed down against this Iranian journalist in absentia and called on the Iranian government to revoke the ruling.
Anthony Bellanger, Secretary General of the International Federation of Journalists, expressed astonishment at treating participation in Workers’ Day demonstrations as criminal and urged the Iranian government to stop attacking journalists, respect journalists’ unions and professional rights, and refrain from violating their fundamental rights.
Kiyan Samimi, a journalist and one of those arrested on International Workers’ Day, announced on Monday, April 15, in his Telegram channel that he had received a five-year prison sentence. He stated that the charges against him include founding the Freedom Party of the Iranian People, which dated back 22 years ago, serving as editor-in-chief of the publication “Iran Tomorrow,” uploading content in cyberspace, making speeches and inciting audiences, supporting political prisoners, and participating in the illegal Workers’ Day gathering.
The issuance of prison sentences for political-ideological activists and journalists such as Kiyan Samimi comes at a time when, with the outbreak of coronavirus in Iranian prisons, Iranian government officials have prevented the release or granting of furloughs to some political and civil prisoners.
Previously, Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, had called on Tehran to temporarily release all prisoners. He had earlier said that continuing to hold political prisoners during the coronavirus outbreak was “regrettable and concerning.”
Source: Voice of America
