Abdi and Ghazian Sentenced for Selling Information to Foreigners

Two individuals who conducted a survey indicating that most Iranians want to resume dialogue with the United States have been sentenced for selling information to foreigners. Defense lawyers for the two stated that on Monday, Abbas Abdi was sentenced to 8 years and Hossein Ghazian to 9 years in prison. The defense attorneys expressed surprise at such harsh penalties and indicated they would seek an appeal. Both defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges. Abdi and Ghazian were accused of selling information obtained from a survey conducted last September to polling organizations in the United States, Britain, and Israel, including the well-known Gallup organization. Both convicts conducted a single survey regarding Iranian opinions towards the U.S. According to their survey, they reported that 74 percent of Iranians want to resume negotiations with the U.S., a former long-standing ally. The result of this survey angered Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Khamenei believes that those who speak of negotiating with the U.S. for better relations are committing treason. U.S.-Iran relations soured in 1979 following the hostage crisis.