Iranian Human Rights Lawyer Jailed Over Anti-Govt. Activities

(RTTNews) - A well-known Iranian human rights lawyer and close associate of the country's Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi has been sentenced to nine years in jail over anti-government activities, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported on Monday.

Mohammad-Ali Dadkhah, the co-founder of Defenders of Human Rights Center, was accused of waging a propoganda war against the Iranian government and engaging in efforts to topple it.

Dadkhah was also barred from practising law for ten years and pursuing academic activities during the ban period. Besides, he was ordered to pay the local equivalent of $300 as fine for possessing a satellite receiver at his residence.

According to ISNA, Dadkah himself broke the news of his sentencing. He has, however, vowed to appeal the ruling.

He was reportedly arrested in the wake of protests against the government of President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.

Along with Ebadi, Dadkah had fought for justice on behalf of Iran's political dissidents and religious minorities earning the wrath of the "repressive regime" which has long been accused of muzzling freedom of speech and dissent.

Ebadi has been living abroad ever since fleeing Iran in 2009.

by RTT Staff Writer

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(2011-7-5/RTTNews)