Statements - Children’s Rights Activist Maryam Zia Sentenced to One Year in Prison

19 شهریور 89

The Committee of Human Rights Reporters: Children’s rights activist Maryam Zia has been sentenced to one year in prison by branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court. Her charge is "propaganda against the regime". The court was headed by judge Moghiseh.

According to informed sources, the judge did not behave impartially, but rather acted similarly to interrogators of the Ministry of Intelligence. Maryam Zia’s sentence was issued based on Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code. Maryam Zia’s lawyers are Mrs. Mohammadi and Mr. Meshkani.

Maryam Zia was arrested on December 31, 2009 and spent three months in Evin prison. She was held in ward 209 of Evin prison for two months. The ward is run by the Ministry of Intelligence.

The Committee of Human Rights Reporters previously reported that Maryam Zia was released from prison [on March 28, 2010] after 13 days of hunger strike. She was released on $30,000 (USD) bail upon recommendations by physicians.

At the start of the Persian calendar New Year (March 21, 2010), Maryam Zia’s parents provided the bail amount but the judge still refused to release her.

Maryam Zia is the director for the Society for a World Children Deserve. She was initially arrested on June 12, 2006 in a protest gathering against unjust laws. The protest was held at Haft-e Tir Square in Tehran and it was headed by women’s rights activists.

www.schrr.net/spip.php?article11021