Mohammad Bagher Moradi handed 5-year prison sentence

According to CHRR, Mohammad Bagher Moradi was informed via a phone call that Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court presided by Judge Pir-Abassi had issued him a 5-year prison sentence on the charge of “illegal gathering and collusion against national security.”

Members of Saraye Ahl-e Ghalam (Writer’s Association) have been summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence and subjected to continued threats and pressures. Akbar Amini Armaki was summoned a few days ago along with others who do not want their names to be disclosed.

Akbar Amini was among a group of writers who were detained on October 30, 2012 when security agents raided a gathering of the Saraye Ahl-e Ghalam (Association of Writers) and arrested around 70 members. Most were later released but 17 members with Mehdi Khazali among them were transferred to Evin prison. Agents detained Pejman Zafarmand and Mehdi Karimi later. Mehdi Khazali remains behind bars in Ward 209 of Evin prison.

With the prison sentence issued to Mohammad Bagher Moradi, so far a total of 21 years in prison has been handed down to the writers with a total of 15 years of being barred from membership in any political party or group, and activity in any Internet or media outlet.

The sentences are as follows:

Akbar Amini – 5 years in prison; 4 years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” along with a 5-year ban from membership in any political party or group, and activity in any Internet or media outlet.

Peyman Zafarmand – 3 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security,” along with a 5-year ban from membership in any political party or group, and activity in any Internet or media outlet.

Mohammad Parsi – 3 years in prison; 2 years on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security via the Internet,” and one year on the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” along with a 5-year ban from membership in any political party or group, and activity in any Internet or media outlet.

Judge Salavati presiding over Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court issued the sentences for Akbar Amini, Peyman Zafarmand and Mohammad Parsi.

Mohammad Reza Ahmadi – 4 years in prison; 3 years on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security, and one year from a previous suspended sentence that he must now serve. Judge Ahmadi presiding over Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court issued the sentence.

Mohsen Ghashghayizadeh – 2 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security” handed down by Judge Pir-Abassi presiding over Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court.

- Committee of Human Rights Reporters