27 May 2008

Alert

Trial against Kurdish journalist begins, lawyer condemns decision to hold it behind closed doors


Incident details

Mohammad Sadegh Kabovand (Kabudvand)

journalist(s)

detained

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(RSF/IFEX) - A Tehran revolutionary court's decision to hold Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadegh Kabovand's trial behind closed doors under article 188 of the criminal code has been condemned by his lawyer, Masomeh Sotoudeh. The trial began on 25 May 2008.

"This article can only be used for trials in which the details discussed could offend public morality, such as the trials of rapists," Sotoudeh said. She also voiced concern about the state of health of her client, who has still not been allowed proper medical treatment by the authorities in Tehran's Evin prison since suffering an attack of dizziness in his cell on 19 May. Charged with "activity against national security," Kabovand has been held since 1 July 2007.

"The Iranian authorities are holding Kabovand's trial behind closed doors in order to prevent the press from covering it and revealing any irregularities," RSF said.



Source:

Reporters Without Borders
47, rue Vivienne
75002 Paris
France
rsf (@) rsf.org
Phone: +33 1 44 83 84 84
Fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51
 

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More on this case

Activist Mohammad Sadigh Kaboudvand may have suffered stroke; family claim he is not receiving adequate health care 29 July 2010 As his health deteriorates, imprisoned activist and journalist Mohammad Sadegh Kaboudvand given award for persecuted writers 22 January 2009 Appeal court upholds 11-year jail term for Kurdish journalist 30 October 2008 Two journalists sentenced to suspended jail terms for "publicity" against government, a third released 11 June 2008 Imprisoned journalist suffers stroke, denied adequate medical care as trial begins 4 June 2008 Ailing journalist unable to pay bail, held for more than 10 months 20 May 2008 Journalist freed on bail, editor arrested for publishing false information and "disturbing public opinion", several others still held by authorities 21 December 2007 Iranian Kurdish journalist Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand detained; WiPC fears ill treatment 18 July 2007 Three more journalists imprisoned; another arrested and released on bail 3 July 2007

Iran

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