PEN International Calls for the Immediate and Unconditional Release of Mostafa Azizi

PEN International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mostafa Azizi, a writer and former producer for Iran's state television, who has been sentenced to eight years in prison by the Revolutionary Court. On Friday, June 22, this international organization issued a statement inviting everyone to protest against the eight-year prison sentence for Mr. Azizi by sending letters to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and other government officials, including the head of the judiciary and the president. The PEN International statement indicates that although Iranian officials have not disclosed the details of the charges against Mostafa Azizi, it is clear that these charges stem from his writings on Facebook and other social media and his peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression. Mr. Azizi has been charged with actions against national security through activities in cyberspace, insulting the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, and actions against national security, for which the head of Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran has imposed sentences of one year, two years, and five years in prison, respectively, on this writer. PEN International has asked its audience not only to protest this sentence but also to express their concerns about Mostafa Azizi's health status and to urge Iranian officials to ensure he receives medical care. Mr. Azizi suffers from diabetes, heart disease, and rheumatism, which led to his transfer to the medical facility of Evin Prison in late April. Previously, PEN Canada and Amnesty International had launched a campaign in support of Mostafa Azizi, calling for his release. Mr. Azizi is considered a citizen of Canada who returned to Iran last winter after several years but was arrested shortly thereafter. 'I Am Raymond Carver' is the title of Mostafa Azizi's short story collection published in Iran in 2010. Among the programs produced by Mr. Azizi for Iranian state television are the quiz show 'Knowledge and Intelligence,' the competition 'Effort,' and the series 'Traveler.'