Iran Activist Sentenced To Six Years

Iranian activist Majid Tavakoli has been sentenced to six years in prison on charges of threatening state security.

Tavakoli is a student leader, human rights activist, and political prisoner and was arrested at least three times by the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence during the student protests over the disputed Presidential Election of 2009.

Charges include espionage and creating propaganda against the state.

In response to allegations that he cross-dressed as a disguise to avoid arrest, a campaign protesting his imprisonment featured men posting photos of themselves wearing hijab.

He was arrested again during the Iranian protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in September.

Tavakoli announced the news if his sentence on Twitter and said in addition to his prison sentence he has received a two year ban on online activities, a two year ban from staying in Tehran, and a two year travel ban.

“This verdict is issued only because of my writings in the last few years. Due to my insistence on independent activity, there is no evidence of such activities or connection with the hostile government,” read his tweet.

It is all too common for activists to be falsely accused of such charges of espionage and colluding with foreign groups, for which the regime justifies they pay a heavy price in its brutal jails.