Previously condemned political prisoner released

Anvar Hossein Panahi, an Iranian political prisoner, was released on bail from the central prison in Sanandaj after six years behind bars

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According to the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, Panahi’s brother, Amjad Hossein Panahi, reports that the activist had first been sentenced to death, but after continued efforts by human rights groups, his death sentence was reduced to six years in jail. He was released only three months before the end of his term.

Anvar Hossein Panahi was first arrested in November of 2007 and held in the intelligence office of Gharaveh for six months without any official charges.

In Spring of 2008, he was charged with “enmity against god and acting against national security” and was sentenced to death.

In March of 2009, his death sentence was dropped by the appellate court of Kurdistan province and he was handed a six-year sentence.

zamaneh