English PEN joins PEN International in condemning the 16-year sentence handed down to Iranian journalist Narges Mohammadi by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran.

Narges Mohammadi’s family were notified of the sentence on 17 May 2016. Mohammadi was sentenced to five years in prison for ‘gathering and colluding with intent to harm national security’, one year in prison for ‘spreading propaganda against the system’ and 10 years for ‘founding and running an illegal organisation’ for her work with Legam, advocating against the death penalty. Under provisions within Iran’s 2013 penal code, a person sentenced to several jail terms is required to serve that with the most severe penalty meaning that, if the sentence is upheld on appeal, she will serve an additional 10 years in prison.

Mohammadi is already serving a further six-year prison sentence on similar charges. PEN is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Mohammadi, who is in poor health, as we believe her to be imprisoned for her peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression.

For further background information, please visit the PEN International website.

TAKE ACTION!

• Read Narges Mohammadi’s moving letter to the PEN community;
• Share details of Narges Mohammadi’s case and examples of her writing on Facebook, Twitter and other social media #FreeNarges;
• Send messages of support via the comments box below or via email to [email protected];
• Write to the Iranian authorities calling for Narges Mohammadi’s release: more details and addresses below

Send Appeals:

• Calling on the Iranian authorities to quash all the convictions of journalist Narges Mohammadi and release her immediately and unconditionally as she is imprisoned for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression and association;
• Expressing grave concern for the health and welfare of Narges Mohammadi, and demanding that she is given all necessary medical attention as a matter of urgency;
• Urging the authorities to allow Mohammadi regular access to her family, including regular telephone calls to her children who are abroad;
• Urging them to ensure that the right to freedom of expression in Iran is fully respected in law and practice as provided for under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is a state party.

Leader of the Islamic Republic
Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Shoahada Street, Qom, Islamic Republic of Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @khamenei_i

Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
c/o Public Relations Office Number 4,
Deadend of 1 Azizi Above Pasteur Intersection Vali Asr Street
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran
Salutation: Your Excellency

And copies to:

Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights
Mohammed Javad Larijani c/o Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave
South of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran,
Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: [email protected] (Subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)

It is recommended that you send a copy of your appeals via the diplomatic representative for Iran in your country. Contact details for embassies can be found here.

Image credit: Mohammadi family