Four-and-a-half-year prison sentence for journalist Masoud Kazemi upheld in appeals court
The four-and-a-half-year prison sentence of Masoud Kazemi, a journalist and editor of the monthly magazine “Sedaye Farsi,” who is currently serving time in prison, has been upheld in the appeals court.
Shima Tadrisi, one of Masoud Kazemi’s close associates, announced the news on her Twitter page on Wednesday, August 7, writing that “Masoud Kazemi’s sentence was upheld exactly as is in the appeals court. This is a gift for Masoud on the occasion of Journalists’ Day, Masoud’s share of journalism being unemployment and imprisonment.”
Mr. Kazemi has been sentenced to two years for spreading false information, two years for insulting the Supreme Leader, and six months for insulting other officials.
His lawyer previously stated that if this conviction becomes final, the harshest penalty—two years in prison—will be implemented.
This journalist, who has also collaborated with the newspapers Shargh and Qanun, was arrested at his home in Tehran by security forces in November of last year. On Wednesday, May 22, he was again arrested after reporting to Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court to follow up on his case, as he was unable to pay a one billion toman bail, and was transferred to Evin Prison.
Recently, a group of Iranian journalists called for the release of Masoud Kazemi and Marziyeh Amiri, detained journalists.
International human rights organizations and the United States government have accused the Islamic Republic of violating freedom of expression and suppressing journalists, calling for the release of journalists who have been imprisoned solely for carrying out their duties and profession.
Source: Voice of America
