Continued Suppression of Freedom of Speech in Iran; Journalist Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison
Khosrow Sadeqi Brojeni, a journalist and researcher in the field of labor and social welfare, has been sentenced to 8 years in prison by the Revolutionary Court.
The journalist announced on Monday, February 3rd, through a post on his Twitter account that he has been sentenced by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Moqiseh, to 5 years in prison on charges of “gathering and conspiracy against domestic/foreign security”, one year in prison on charges of “propaganda activity against the regime”, and two years in prison on charges of “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic”.
IRNA news agency also announced that the issued verdict is preliminary and there is a possibility of appeal.
Based on available information, Khosrow Sadeqi Brojeni was previously summoned several times in April of the current year for interrogation at Branch 2 of the District 33 Prosecutor’s Office of Evin Prison. After a bail of 300 million tomans was set, he was in temporary detention from April 8th to 13th. He was eventually released temporarily upon payment of bail until the end of his trial.
This is not the first time an Iranian journalist or writer has been sentenced to imprisonment. Previously, Nima Safar, a journalist and writer from Golestan Province, whose 8-month prison sentence was confirmed by the Appeals Court, went to Gorgan Prison to serve his sentence.
Earlier, the 6-year prison sentence of Reza Khandan Mohammadi and Baktash Abtahi, members of the Iranian Writers Association, which was previously issued by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court headed by Judge Moqiseh on charges such as “gathering and conspiracy with the intent to act against the country’s security” and “propaganda against the regime”, was exactly confirmed by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court.
The 6-year prison sentence of Keyvan Bajen, another member of this association and co-defendant with Reza Khandan Mohammadi and Baktash Abtahi, was reduced to three and a half years by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court.
Previously, international human rights organizations and the United States government have repeatedly accused the Islamic Republic of violating freedom of speech and suppressing civil activists, and have called for the release of journalists and writers who have been imprisoned solely for performing their duties and profession.
Source: Voice of America
