Keyvan Samimi sentenced to three years in prison

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Keyvan Samimi, editor-in-chief of the Iran Farda magazine and a national-religious activist, to a year in prison on charges of "gathering and colluding with the intention of acting against the country's security."

Mr. Samimi announced the conviction on his Telegram channel on Sunday, writing that he did not consider it fair and would protest.

He emphasized that his effort throughout all these years has been to be open to dialogue even with "self-centered people and those in power," and continued: "I have no grudge against them, and despite the fact that they have brought me many troubles for more than half a century, what can I do if I fall in love with their way of life?"

Keyvan Samimi was arrested in May last year during a rally marking International Workers' Day. He was released after a while, but Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him in absentia.

The court initially sentenced him to five years in prison for the charge of “gathering and colluding with the intention of acting against the security of the country” and one year in prison for the charge of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic.” However, Mr. Samimi objected to the trial procedure and the court set a second hearing, which was eventually held on May 19.

Keyvan Samimi had previously spent six years in prison following the 2009 protests.

Source: Radio Farda