IRAN* The Islamic Republic of Iran, with a population of ...

IRAN
Ward 209. According to PBS Frontline, he remained in prison as of December 10,
and there was no evidence that authorities had charged him with any crime.
On February 1, security officials beat and arrested Abolfazl Abedini Nasr, a
reporter for Bahar Ahvaz, in his home in Ramhormoz and transferred him to Evin
Prison, where he reportedly underwent harsh torture during interrogation, resulting
in severe heart damage. On April 4, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz
sentenced him to 11 years in Karoun Prison in Ahvaz for association with foreign
governments, membership in HRAI, and "propaganda against the regime" based on
his interviews with foreign media. On April 13, Abedini collapsed in and was
admitted to the prison clinic, according to AI. On August 19, HRAI reported that
prison authorities had banned Abedini from leaving his cell until further notice,
preventing him from visiting the prison clinic to receive regular required medical
treatment. There was no information about Abedini's status at year's end, and he
remained in prison.
On February 9, according to the CPJ, authorities arrested Ali Malihi, a journalist
for Etemad, Irandokht, Shahrvand-e-Emruz, and Mehrnameh, and a revolutionary
court tried and sentenced him to four years in prison for "congregation and mutiny
against the regime," "propagation against the regime," "participation in illegal
gatherings," "publication of falsehoods," and "insulting the president." As of
October 1, authorities reportedly had not permitted him to meet with his lawyer
except during court proceedings. The CPJ reported he was held in solitary
confinement in Evin Prison and went on at least one hunger strike to protest his
treatment.
On March 2, authorities rearrested journalist and activist Mahboubeh Karami, the
fifth time she was arrested in the last three years (see section 6, Women).
From June 12 until his December 22 release on 500 million toman ($500,000) bail,
authorities detained Abdolreza Tajik, who writes for reformist newspapers Fath,
Bonyan, Bahar, and Shargh, in Evin Prison. This was Tajik's third arrest since the
disputed June 2009 elections. At year's end he faced charges of "propagation
against the regime" in connection with his membership in the DHRC, according to
news reports. His sister, Parvin Tajik was also sentenced to 18 months in prison for
pursuing her brother's case.
On July 28, a court sentenced Mostafa Kazzazi, the publisher of banned reformist
daily Seda-ye Edalat, in absentia to 11 months in jail on charges of "propaganda
against the Islamic regime" and inciting unrest. He was in prison at year's end.
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