Mohammad Hassan Fallahiya

Profession: Journalist and managing editor of Aqlam al-Talaba (The Students' Pens), a student publication of Ahvaz University, Khuzestan province.

Date of arrest: November 2006.

Sentence: 3 years' imprisonment, with hard labour.

Expires: November 2009.

Details of arrest: Detained after writing reports on the repression of the Arab minority in Khuzestan and articles criticising the Iranian government, as well as contacting opposition groups based overseas.

Details of trial: According to Amnesty International, he was not allowed legal representation during the judicial process. He was sentenced on 21 April 2007.

Place of detention: Believed to be held in Section 209 of Evin Prison, Tehran. Reportedly moved to an unknown location on 24 January 2008.

Health concerns: There are fears that he may be at risk of torture or ill-treatment. Fallahiya also suffers from sickle cell anaemia and is reportedly being denied the medical care he needs for his condition. The prison authorities have reportedly prevented his family from brining his medication to the prison and it is feared that his health may deteriorate further without adequate treatment.

Background: Fallahiya is a member of Iran's Arab minority, many of whom live in the province of Khuzestan where there has been unrest since 2005 as a result of what the Arabs believe to be discrimination against and pressure upon them by the Persian population and leadership. Fallahiya's imprisonment should also be seen in the context of a recent crackdown by the Iranian authorities on dissident journalists, writers and academics more generally.

Honorary member: English PEN

Release: Fallahiya is presumed free following the expiry of his sentence in November 2009.