Rights group slams imprisonment of journalists in Iran

Reporters Without Borders has condemned the incarceration of Iranian journalist and women's rights activist Jila Bani-Yaghoub, who began a one-year sentence at Evin Prison on September 2.

Jila Ban-Yaghoub was arrested during the 2009 election protests along with her husband and fellow journalist Bahman Ahmadi Amouyi. While her husband is already serving out a five-year jail term, she had to surrender herself to the authorities on Sunday to serve her own one-year sentence.

Reporters Without Borders also mentions another journalist couple imprisoned in Iran: Mahsa Amrabadi and Massoud Bastani are serving two years and six years respectively.

Following the mass protests of 2009, Iranian authorities targeted reformist journalists and threw many in jail, sentencing them to long terms and in many cases banning them from media activities.

In addition to her jail sentence, Jila Ban-Yaghoub is banned from journalism for the next 30 years.

Reporters Without Borders also expressed grave concern for Issa Saharkhiz, another reformist journalist, who reportedly has been suffering from declining health behind bars.

Sentences ranging from six months to six years have been handed to Iranian journalists for the charge of "propaganda against the regime."

Source: Radio Zamaneh