The publication of the verdict sentencing “Ehsan Pirbornash”, a member of the Iranian sports journalists association, to 10 years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Sari is bitter and regrettable news for Iranian sports journalists.
NO CLEAR ANSWERS
The Association of Sports Writers, Journalists and Photographers of Iran, as an official Iranian organisation of sports journalism, in order to fulfil its professional duties, from the very first days of the arrest of fellow sports writers, has made every effort to inform the relevant authorities of the situation and reasons for their arrest and through dialogue and correspondence and referring to the authorities of relevant judicial institutions and the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the association made the necessary follow-ups for the release of these colleagues, which, unfortunately, did not bring a clear answer and a positive result, and so far the reasons for the arrest of these colleagues have not been determined for the association, which has been questioned many times by its members and the families of the arrested and the International Association of Sports Journalists (AIPS).
EXPECTING AN ANNOUNCEMENT
And now, after almost three months of the arrests, the announcement of a long-term prison sentence for Ehsan Pirbornash in the primary court was far from expected, and it is obvious that this sentence changed the conditions for our colleague and his wife Behnaz Mirmatharian, who is also a member of the sports writer’s association and their young child will be very difficult and unfortunate.
The Sports Writers Association of Iran expects the relevant judicial authorities to announce the status and reasons for the conviction of Ehsan Pirbarnash and other detained sports journalists, and while revising the verdicts and decisions issued, provide the basis for the release of these colleagues.
Credit: Iran Sports Writers Association
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