Iran Sends Four Pro-reform Journalists to Prison
Sentences range from five to 10 years behind bars for acting against national security.
An Iranian court has sentenced four pro-reform journalists to prison terms ranging from five to 10 years after convicting them on charges of acting against national security.
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State TV's website said on Tuesday that the verdicts can be appealed.
The four were arrested in November as part of ongoing crackdown by hard-liners, a move that was criticized by moderate Iranian President Hassan Rohani.
Several Iranian activists and cultural figures were also arrested in the run-up to February elections for parliament and the all-cleric Assembly of Experts.
The four sentenced have worked for various newspapers, including pro-reform Farhikhtegan daily.
They include Davood Asadi, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Ehsun Mazandarani was given a seven-year term while Afarin Chitsaz and Ehsan Safarzaiee each have to spend five years behind bars.