A total of 11 years imprisonment and a 15 year ban on any political, civil and or online activity has been issued for three members of the Writers Association (Sarai Ahle Ghalam).

Following summons by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Salavati, three members of the Writers Association were handed sentences as follows:

Akbar Amini – Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, 4 years on charges of assembly and collusion with the intent to act against the national security, and 1 year for propaganda against the establishment.

As part of his sentence Amini is also banned for 5 years from membership in any political party or group and banned from any online journalistic activities.

Amini was also under a one year suspended sentence from a previous conviction that now has become mandatory and will be enforced.

Pezhman Zafarmand – Sentenced to 3 years imprisonment on charges of assembly and collusion with the intent to act against the national security. Zafarmand is also banned from any political activity or any online journalistic activity for 5 years.

Mohamad Parsi – Sentenced to 3 years imprisonment, 2 years on charges of assembly and collusion with the intent to act against the national security, and 1 year on charges of propaganda against the establishment. Parsi is also placed on a 5 year ban from membership in any political party or group and any online journalistic activity.

About 70 people were arrested during a raid of the Writers Association meeting on October 30, 2012. Many were released shortly after, but 17 members were taken to Evin prison.

Dr. Mehdi Khazali was one of the members arrested that night. Currently he is the only member that is still incarcerated and is on a hunger strike protesting his illegal arrest and detention.

Pressure and threats continue against the members of the Writers Association since the night of the raid on their meeting. Other members have also been summoned by court.

By persianbanoo
Source: HRANA