Protest by 101 Journalists Against the Exile and Threat to Ahmad Zeidabadi

A group of Iranian journalists signed a letter protesting the situation of Ahmad Zeidabadi, a journalist exiled to Gonabad. According to the Kaleme website, this letter has been signed by 101 journalists inside and outside Iran, expressing concern over the "inaction and indifference of judicial and security officials" regarding the "open threats to Ahmad Zeidabadi's life." The letter states: "What is happening to Ahmad Zeidabadi these days reminds us of the unfortunate reality that not only are there political and ideological prisoners in Iranian prisons, but journalism after serving a sentence is followed by exile, stripping the individual of the right to express opinion for life, and in the absence of necessary reactions, their mental and physical security is threatened." The journalists who signed the letter emphasized that according to Islamic Penal Code, "additional punishments including deprivation and exile" cannot exceed a total of "more than 2 years," and judicial authorities are obliged to review and amend the ruling issued for Ahmad Zeidabadi. The letter further states: "We, the journalists signing this letter, while reminding of the legal flaws in the issued ruling, are concerned and protesting against the inaction and indifference of judicial and security officials regarding the open threats to Ahmad Zeidabadi's life, and we demand immediate action to ensure the security of this exiled journalist." Ahmad Zeidabadi, a journalist and secretary-general of the Islamic Graduates Organization, was arrested after the presidential election on June 12, 2009. He was later tried in courts known as the "Velvet Coup" and in December 2009 was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to six years in prison, five years of exile in Gonabad, and a lifetime ban from social and political activities. This member of the board of directors of the Iranian Journalists' Association was sent directly from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to Gonabad at his own expense on May 21, 2023, to serve his five-year exile in that city. Mr. Zeidabadi had also spent 13 months in prison in 2000 for propaganda against the regime, disturbing public opinion, and acting against the regime. In 2009, this journalist received the Golden Pen of Freedom award from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers.