Islamic Republic continues persecuting election protesters

Islamic Republic continues to charge and sentence post-election protesters to quell disputes over re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad which the opposition claims was fraudulent.

According to Human Rights Reporters Committee, post-election detainee Monireh Rabii’s five year sentence and exile to town of Berazjan in Kerman was confirmed in the appellate court.

The political prisoner was charged with “Moharebeh” (enmity against God) on the grounds that her relatives are members of the dissident group, People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran and reside in Ashraf Camp in Iraq.

Despite all evidence to the effect that Ms. Rabii has no contact with these members of her family, she was arrested in September 2009 and is currently out on a $50,000 bail.

Human Rights Reporters also quotes “knowledgeable sources” in reporting that three Ashura Day detainees have also received prison terms from the judiciary. Omid Bavari was sentenced to five years while Abolfazl and Arash Ghasemi received three and two years respectively.

Milad Fadai Asl, a student of Tehran Open University was condemned to one year in prison. He was arrested in December at his home and was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

The Reporters Committee also reports that their detained colleague, Shiva Nazarahari was finally charged after four months in prison. She has been accused of “activities against national security through participating in November 4 and December 7 gatherings.”

Reportedly, Shiva Nazarahari has denied participating in these gatherings.

The human rights activist was arrested last December for a second time in the post-election turmoil. She was previously arrested on June 14 and was in prison for over three months.

Two social activists, Dorsa Sobhani and Peymon Aref were released yesterday.

Dorsa Sobhani was arrested on March 15 and was in solitary confinement for 25 days by the Revolutionary Guards.

Peymon Aref was released over “grave heart complications on the condition that he returns as soon as his sentencing in finalized.”

The student activist was arrested in December of 2009 and has been sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes. He has also been banned for life from journalism and political activity.