Blogger Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison in Iran

Blogger Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison in Iran

Click Here to Take Action
http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/sigarchi_dan/ind5ud84q7td3n6

Iranian blogger and human rights activist Arash Sigarchi was
sentenced to 14 years in prison on charges of "espionage and
insulting the country's leaders." His harsh sentence, given by a
Revolutionary Court on February 22, 2005, sends a stark message
to other bloggers and independent government critics in Iran.

Arash Sigarchi is editor of a daily newspaper in the province of
Gilan and has run a social and political blog for the past three
years. His blog has from time to time dealt with human rights
issues and criticized government policies. For example, in
August 2004 he posted an article about a demonstration in Tehran
by families of victims of mass executions that took place in
1999. He was imprisoned for a few days after posting this story.
At the time of his arrest he had been protesting the harassment,
detention and mistreatment of more than 20 journalists and
bloggers in Iran in recent months.

Arash Sigarchi's imprisonment is part of a continuing wave of
repression directed against independent critics of the Iranian
government's human rights practices. The government is
especially intolerant of journalists and activists who expose
its involvement in mass executions and other serious violations
of human rights.

Speak out today and support Iranian blogger and human rights
advocate Arash Sigarchi by sending a letter to the Iranian
authorities with just a few clicks of your mouse.

Click Here to Take Action
http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/sigarchi_dan/ind5ud84q7td3n6

Click here for more information on Arash Sigarchi:
http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/ct/37wVaMs11uBt/tell-me-more
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