Journalist’s Lawyer: My Client Was Convicted of “Writing”

Following the sentencing of journalist Jila Baniyaghoub to one year in prison and 30-years’ ban from any journalistic activity, her lawyer, Farideh Gheirat, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that such a punishment does not exist in Iranian law and the basis for such ruling is unclear. In legal circles, questions regarding the ruling were raised when a lower court announced Baniyaghoub’s sentence a few months ago. The case has garnered renewed interest since an appeals upheld Baniyaghoub’s sentence due to issues regarding the judicial review of political and media cases. Considering Baniyaghoub’s age, her 30 year deprivation sentence effectively terminates her professional journalism career.