(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN welcomes the release on bail of professor Hashem Aghajari on 31 July 2004, but remains concerned that he still faces charges. International PEN considers Aghajari to be sentenced solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression, and therefore calls for all charges against him […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN welcomes the release on bail of professor Hashem Aghajari on 31 July 2004, but remains concerned that he still faces charges. International PEN considers Aghajari to be sentenced solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression, and therefore calls for all charges against him to be dropped in accordance with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a signatory.
Aghajari was sentenced to death for apostasy in November 2002 after delivering a speech at Hamedan University. The verdict was overturned twice by the Supreme Court, most recently on 1 June 2004. On 20 July, he was sentenced to five years in prison, including a two-year suspended term for “insulting Islamic values”. Aghajari was freed on 31 July pending an appeal to the Supreme Court.
