Canadian Resident and Activist Mostafa Azizi Sentenced to 8 years jail in Iran

Iranian-Canadian Mostafa Azizi, writer and TV producer, was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment in Iran today at the revolutionary court. Mr. azizi , 53,  was arrested on February 01, 2015 shortly after his return to Iran to care for his ailing father, spent over two weeks in solitary confinement under Revolutionary Guard ‘s Intelligence Service detention (ward 2-A) before transferring to Evin Prison’s general ward.

Iranian-Canadian Mostafa Azizi, writer and TV producer, was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment in Iran today at the revolutionary court. Mr. azizi , 53,  was arrested on February 01, 2015 shortly after his return to Iran to care for his ailing father, spent over two weeks in solitary confinement under Revolutionary Guard ‘s Intelligence Service detention (ward 2-A) before transferring to Evin Prison’s general ward.

ICHR is concerned about well-being and unlawful detention of Mostafa Azizi and condemns his 8 years jail sentence. ICHR urges Iranian authorities to release Mostafa Azizi immediately.

According to Mr. Azizi’s family, he received 5 years sentence for his political activities (in Canada) against Iranian regime, 2 years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and one year for cyber activities.

ICHR executive director, Ardeshir Zarezadeh, said that according to inside sources, Mr. Azizi has not been given a fair trial and right to counsel since his arrest and the revolutionary court has convicted him in an unfair trial to 8 years imprison.”

Mr. Azizi’z sentence is connected with social media posts he made in Canada as well as his articles and activities. Mr. Azizi is a critic of Iranian regime and attended many political gatherings in Toronto.

Despite the Iranian President asked exiled citizens to return to the country, Mostafa Azizi was detained and charged immediately. Iranian regime has been detaining Iranians who have been politically active outside the country.

“Mr. Azizi is a prisoner of conscience and his rights have been violated by the Iranian regime. He is a cultural figure, writer and film-maker and must be released unconditionally,” Said Ardeshir Zarezadeh.

ICHR also urges The Canadian Government to raise concerns regarding Mostafa Azizi and takes action as done in other cases such as Saeed Malekpour in a number of occasions.