Index on Censorship together with ARTICLE 19, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and PEN Canada express dismay at the sentence of 19 and a half years handed down to blogger Hossein Derakhshan. 

Tortured in jail
Although the prosecutor’s call for the death penalty was not approved, the sentence against Hossein Derakhshan represents a serious violation of Iranian obligations under international law.

It is clear that Derakhshan (above, below), charged with cooperating with hostile countries, spreading propaganda and insulting religious figures, was sentenced for merely enjoying the right to freedom of expression.

Reports from former cellmates indicate that Derakhshan has been tortured while in prison and subjected to harsh interrogations. Index on Censorship, Artucle 19, CJFE, CPJ and PEN Canada believe that Derakhshan remains at risk for as long as he is in prison, and that the extreme length of the sentence adds to the danger that he faces.

Derakhshan has been held in Evin prison for almost two years, but his case only went to trial last summer.

The 19 and a half year prison sentence was announced on the conservative website Mashreghnews.ir this morning. The sentence also includes several fines – €30,750, US $2,900, and £200.

The free speech groups call on the Iranian government to release Derakhshan immediately and meet its commitment to protect basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression. The groups also ask the international community to continue to hold Iran to its obligations and to support Iranian bloggers, journalists and writers to do their work without fear of imprisonment or reprisal.

Prison is no place for Hossein Derakhshan or for the dozens of other writers, journalists, academics and bloggers who continue to languish in Iran’s jails.

Here you can sign a petition to free the “blogfather” Hossein Derakhshan.

Here you can read more about Hossein Derakhshan’s case.

Background
Hossein Derakhshan, 35, who wrote his blog mostly from outside Iran, is credited with helping to spark a surge in blogging on reform issues in Iran in 2001 by posting simple instructions in Persian on how to set up a site and begin writing online comments.

He returned from Canada to Iran at the end of October 2008 and continued to blog from there but was arrested at his family home in Tehran on 1 November 2008.

HRH London, based on Index on Censorship information.

Related links:

Free speech organisations call Iran to release blogger Hossein Derakhshan

Iranian journalist sentenced to six years’ imprisonment

Jailed Iranian blogger receives Freedom of the Press Award

Iran: one year after elections – importance of internet and small media