Iran: court sentences ex-VP for role in post-election unrest

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court has sentenced former vice president and reformer Mohammad Ali Abtahi to six years in prison for his role in the unrest that followed the disputed June 12 presidential elections, according to Iranian news agencies Nov. 21. Abtahi, who had been in custody since just after the election, has been temporarily released on $700,000 bail pursuant to Iranian law which allows any person sentenced to more than three months in jail to be released on bail pending appeal. He served as vice president under Mohammad Khatami from 1997 to 2005. Abtahi has 20 days to appeal his sentence.

Last week, an Iranian court sentenced five people to death for their roles in post election protests. In August, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called for the prosecution of opposition leaders who allegedly conspired to orchestrate widespread protests. (Jurist, Nov. 22)

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