Iranian reporter Marzieh Rasouli writes about literature for reformist newspapers and on her blog, Three Days Ago. She has been sentenced to two years in prison and 50 lashes for participating in street protests in 2009 and writing "anti state propaganda." The incidents for which she was arrested included working with BBC Persian. BBC Persian, which is staffed by Iranian expatriots in London denies employing anyone in Iran. Rasouli later was accused of cooperating with British intelligence services.
Rasouli explained via Twitter that she had been convicted of “propaganda against the establishment and disruption of public order through participation in gatherings.”
Arrest reports don't specify work with BBC Persian, but instead focus on Rasouli's blog writing and participation in protests.
Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, has spoken about the need to relax restrictions on free speech. Tell President Rouhani and the Iranian government to release Rasouli and stop persecuting journalists for exercising free speech and participating in protests!
Dear Sir,
We the undersigned ask that you release Iranian reporter Marzieh Rasouli and stop persecuting journalists for exercising free speech and participating in protests!
Rasouli writes about literature for reformist newspapers and on her blog, Three Days Ago. She has been sentenced to two years in prison and 50 lashes for participating in street protests in 2009 and writing "anti state propaganda." The incidents for which she was arrested included working with BBC Persian. BBC Persian, which is staffed by Iranian expatriots in London denies employing anyone in Iran. Rasouli later was accused of cooperating with British intelligence services.
Rasouli explained via Twitter that she had been convicted of “propaganda against the establishment and disruption of public order through participation in gatherings.”
Arrest reports don't specify work with BBC Persian, but instead focus on Rasouli's blog writing and participation in protests.
Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, has spoken about the need to relax restrictions on free speech. Tell President Rouhani and the Iranian government to release Rasouli and stop persecuting journalists for exercising free speech and participating in protests!
