Keyvan Samimi Released; Ahmad Zeidabadi's Sentence Ends

Keyvan Samimi, a political and social activist, journalist, and editor-in-chief of the monthly magazine "Nameh," was released from Rajai Shahr prison after serving six years. Mr. Samimi was arrested on June 13, 2009, one day after the controversial tenth presidential election in Iran, and was freed on Saturday, May 15. He faced charges of conspiracy and collusion to disrupt national security, propaganda against the regime, and participating in illegal gatherings, which led to a six-year prison sentence and a permanent ban from political activities. Initially imprisoned in Evin prison in Tehran, he was transferred to Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj in December 2010. Mr. Samimi had also been imprisoned during the previous regime. His activities encompassed a wide range of social, human rights, political, intellectual, and journalistic issues. Nearly six years after the disputed presidential election of 2009, several journalists and political activists who were arrested and imprisoned after the election are gradually being released. This past Friday, Ahmad Zeidabadi, a journalist and political activist, also completed his sentence. Majid Tavakoli, a student activist, was released last week as well. However, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, two candidates who protested the election results and led the subsequent protest movement, remain under house arrest. Zahra Rahnavard, Mr. Mousavi's wife, and several other political and social activists are in similar situations.