Sigarchi jailed for 14 years

February 25th, 2005 · No Comments

Iranian woman behind computer

It looks like Mr. Sigarchi has been jailed for 14 years. This is just a travesty. I can’t believe someone can be put away just for blogging what’s on his mind. This is pitiful, just pitiful. Excerpt:

An Iranian weblogger has been jailed for 14 years on charges of spying and aiding foreign counter-revolutionaries.

Arash Sigarchi was arrested last month after using his blog to criticise the arrest of other online journalists.

Mr Sigarchi, who also edits a newspaper in northern Iran, was sentenced by a revolutionary court in the Gilan area.

His sentence, criticised by human rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders, comes a day after an online “day of action” to secure his release.

Iranian authorities have recently clamped down on the growing popularity of weblogs, restricting access to major blogging sites from within Iran.

…………….

Curt Hopkins said Mr Sigarchi’s sentence would not dent the resolve of bloggers joining the campaign to help highlight the case.

“The eyes of 8 million bloggers are going to be more focused on Iran since Sigarchi’s sentence, not less.

“The mullahs won’t be able to make a move without it be spread across the blogosphere.”

Altough I doubt it will change much, we WILL be watching you…..