Outspoken Iranian pro-reform professor sentenced to jail
A prominent pro-reform professor is sentenced to jail in Iran as two ministers survive impeachment votes in parliament.
Iranian academic and outspoken political analyst Sadegh Zibakalam has been handed a prison sentence. Zibakalam, who is a well-known supporter of reform, stated March 13 that he has been sentenced to 18 months in jail and has also been banned for two years from political and social activities.
Elaborating on the Tehran Revolutionary Court’s sentence, Zibakalam added in a video posted on his Facebook page that he has been banned from giving public speeches, writing articles, giving interviews and being active in cyberspace.
The prominent pundit also explained the charges he faced in court. “My charge is spreading propaganda against the establishment and dissemination of lies against the establishment. … This is because of my interview with Deutsche Welle radio about the December protests in the country,” Zibakalam said.
He continued, “The court found me guilty, and I now have 20 days to object to the issued sentence.”
