Keyvan Samimi Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

Tehran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Keyvan Samimi, editor-in-chief of the Iran Farda publication and a national-religious activist, to three years in prison on charges of “assembly and conspiracy with intent to act against national security.”

Mr. Samimi announced the verdict on Sunday through his Telegram channel, writing that he does not consider it fair and will appeal.

He emphasized that his effort throughout all these years has been to engage in dialogue even with “self-centered and government officials,” and further wrote: “I bear them no ill will, and despite the fact that for more than half a century they have brought many calamities upon me, but what can I do if love is the way of calamity-bearing rogues.”

Keyvan Samimi was arrested in April of last year during a gathering on International Workers’ Day, and was released after some time. However, Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court convicted him in absentia.

The court’s initial verdict was five years in prison for the charge of “assembly and conspiracy with intent to act against national security” and one year in prison for the charge of “propagandistic activity against the Islamic Republic system.” However, Mr. Samimi objected to the proceedings, and the court set a second hearing date, which ultimately took place on April 19.

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

Source: Radio Farda