Mostafa Azizi Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison

According to reports, Mostafa Azizi, a former writer and producer for Iran's state television, has been sentenced to eight years in prison one week after his trial in Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Arash Azizi, Mr. Azizi's son, told Radio Farda that this verdict was announced to his father on Tuesday, June 8, and he has appealed the ruling to have the case sent to the appeals court. Arash Azizi also mentioned that he spoke with his father by phone on Tuesday, and he hopes that his father will be released on bail until the final verdict is announced. According to Arash Azizi, his father was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiracy against national security (inside and outside Iran), one year for actions against national security (through online activities), and two years for insulting the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Mr. Azizi's trial took place on June 1 in Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati. Mostafa Azizi, 53, is the author of the short story collection 'I Am Raymond Carver' and has produced television programs such as the quiz show 'Knowledge and Intelligence' and the series 'Traveler.' He emigrated to Canada in 2010. He was arrested shortly after returning to Iran from Canada on February 1, 2015. After the first month of his detention, during which he was held in Ward 2-A of Evin Prison under the supervision of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, he is now in Ward 8 of this prison. According to Mr. Azizi's family members, he suffers from diabetes, heart issues, and rheumatism, and was transferred to the prison's medical facility for a few hours at the end of April. The Canadian PEN Association and Amnesty International had launched a supportive campaign demanding his immediate release from the Iranian authorities ahead of Mr. Azizi's trial.