An Economic Affairs Journalist Sentenced to Over Three Years in Prison by the Islamic Republic

Amirabas Azarmand, who was an economic affairs journalist at several Iranian media outlets, was sentenced by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court to a minimum of three years and seven months in prison.

A Twitter account for his freedom with the handle @FreeAmirabbasA posted on Wednesday that Iran’s judiciary condemned Amirabas Azarmand, an economic journalist and labor activist, to three years and seven months of imprisonment on charges of gathering and conspiracy, eight months of imprisonment for propaganda activities against the system, as well as two years of prohibition from participating in political and social groups and leaving the country.

Judge Afshari in Branch 26 of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court issued this verdict. While the Islamic Republic’s constitution emphasizes holding open trials with jury participation for journalists and reporters, the Islamic Republic condemns media activists on the pretext of security crimes in revolutionary courts and with minimal defendants’ rights.

Mr. Azarmand worked for media outlets such as Khabaronline, and newspapers including Etemaad, Taadol, and Semat.

Previously, Amirabas Azarmand had been detained several times. He was detained at his parents’ home last September but was later temporarily released from Evin Prison on a 500 million toman bail.

Last December, this journalist was also arrested on the sidelines of a gathering in support of workers at the Haft Tappeh agro-industrial complex in front of the Justice Ministry building in Tehran and was released after a few hours.

Source: Voice of America