"Free Mohammad Pourabdollah Now!"

Mohammad Pour Abdollah, a Student detainee in Tehran, Iran, has been sentenced to 6 years imprisonment by Judge Salvati at the 15th Branch of the Revolutionary Court. He is charged with "unauthorized gathering on the 16 Azar 1386 (Dec 7, 2007), propaganda against the Islamic Republic, acting against society and endangering home security ".

Mohammad Pour Abdollah has been convicted for participation in an illegal gathering on National Student Day two years ago. Two days later in the same year, large groups of students opposing the regime also participated at similar gatherings in university campuses across Iran and many were arrested.
Mohammad Pour Abdollah was first arrested in the month of Bahman of 1386 (February 2007) but was later released on bail. He was once again arrested in the month of Bahman of 1387 (February 2008) and has been in detention since that time. He was previously aquitted of identical charges of acting against society and endangering home security. Nevertheless he is now been given a heavy sentence for illegal assembly in the occasion of 16 Azar (Dec 7). With reference to Article 27 of the constitution stating: "Everyone has the right to assembly and demonstration" the charges brought against him have no foundation.
According to Pour Abdollahi's lawyers, Mohamad Ali Dadkhah, Mohamad Mostafai and Sara Sabaghian, it is possible to appeal against this sentence within 20 days of sentencing on Sunday 13 December 2009. Therefore the deadline is 1 January 2010.

We, as human rights activists, urgently request the international community to swiftly act and pressure the judiciary court in Iran to review Mohammad Pourabdollah 'case and uphold their constitution laws and therefore overturn the prison sentence for Mohammad Pourabdollah.