Iranian journalist receives imprisonment and ban from journalism

Jila BaniYaghoub

An Iranian appellate court approved one year prison term and 30 years ban from journalism for Jila BaniYaghoub, prominent Iranian journalist and women’s rights activist.

Free-Journalists website reports that the preliminary sentence which was handed to BaniYaghoub for the charge of “propaganda against the regime” was confirmed by the Tehran appellate court.

Following the disputes over the 2009 presidential elections, the Islamic Republic has retaliated against protests with widespread arrests. Journalists have been a repeated target of government crackdown receiving heavy prison terms and bans on their activities.

Earlier Ahmad Zeidabadi, another prominent Iranian journalist received six years in prison, five years exile and lifetime ban from journalism and writing.

Jila Bani-Yaghoub was arrested last summer along with her husband, Bahman Ahmadi Amouyi, another journalist.

She was released after two months in prison on bail but her husband remains behind bars.

Bani-Yaghoub has collaborated with several prominent Iranian newspapers including Hamshahri, Khordad and Aftob-e Emrooz. She is also a member of the One Million Signatures Campaign to end discriminatory laws, and the 2009 recipient of Courage in Journalism award.

BaniYaghoub’s husband, Bahman Ahmadi Amouyi is currently serving a five-year sentence in Evin Prison.

Reporters Without Borders has described Iran as the biggest jail for journalists.