Iranian journalist sentenced to three years in prison

Iranian journalist, Issa Saharkhiz was sentenced to three years in prison for “insulting Iran’s leader and propaganda against the regime.”

Opposition websites report that Saharkhiz has also been barred from political and media activities for five years and prohibited from leaving the country for one year.

Issa Saharkhiz was arrested in July 2009, in the turmoil that followed the controversial re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. His trial was carried out behind closed doors last July.

Shahrkhiz, who was the director of Aftob monthly magazine, claims to have been “beaten and tortured” on the day of his arrest. Three weeks ago his wife also wrote to Tehran’s prosecutor to request a medical leave for her ailing husband.

Despite reports that Sahrakhiz’s right leg has become paralyzed and the prison doctors are unable to assist him, the judiciary has not responded to the letter from Saharakhiz’s wife.

The judiciary has also announced that Ali Malihi, PR officer of Danesh Amoukhtegan student organization has been sentenced to four years in prison for “activities against national security.”

Mehdi Arabshahi, another Danesh Amoukhtegan senior member who had been given leave from prison in view of is heart complications, was also recalled back to prison to serve his two and a half year sentence.