In Iran, one can be imprisonned and risks the death penalty for blogging.
Mojtaba SamieNejad, 25 year old blogger and student, was first arrested on November 1, 2004 for reporting the arrests of three other bloggers. He was held in custody for almost three months. Following his temporary release on January 27, 2005, he started a new blog to reflect his thoughts and beliefs. This resulted in a second unlawful arrest which has lasted to this day.Mojtaba is kept in Ghezel Hesar prison amongst inmates convicted of murder and other serious offences. Mojtaba was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment on June 2, 2005. This sentence was issued by Judge Saadat of Revolutionary Court 13.
It is ours' and all human rights activists' duty to take a stand against the injustice of imprisonment for voicing one’s opinion. We ask all bloggers, human rights organizations and free people of the world to help Mojtaba by voicing their objection to his sentencing and demand his immediate and unconditional release.
Please sign the petition, it will take you one minute and can help set him free.
Mojtaba Saminejad (in Persian).
Update: a few links for more insight on the subjects...
- Iranian Journalist Credits Blogs for Playing Key Role in His Release From Prison
- Going home, finally
- The Association of Iranian Blogwriters (Penlog)
- Committee to Protect Bloggers
- Blogger Mojtaba Saminejad gets two-year prison sentence
- BBC: The price paid for blogging Iran
[Voir le billet de Laurent en français]
Leave a comment