15 May 12 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
A sentence handed to an Iranian cartoonist may be quashed after the MP who brought the case withdrew his complaint. Mahmoud Shokraye faced 25 lashes after local conservative MP Ahmad Lotfi Ashtiani took offence at a caricature the artist had drawn. Shokraye was found guilty of insulting Ashtiani at a media law court in Arak last week. The sentence caused outcry internationally and within Iran, forcing the MP to withdraw his complaint.
15 May 12 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
An Iranian rapper has been issued with fatwas and faced death threats after releasing a controversial song. Shahin Najafi, an Iranian singer based in Germany, released a song containing references to one of the 12 Shia Muslim Imams. The song, which was posted on YouTube, offended some who claim it insults their beliefs, while others claim the song breaks taboos on expressing views about religious personalities. A religious Iranian website has offered a reward of $100,000 (£62,000) for anyone who kills the rapper.
10 May 12 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
An Iranian cartoonist has been sentenced to 25 lashes after drawing a caricature of a MP. Cartoonist Mahmoud Shokraye depicted local conservative MP Ahmad Lotfi Ashtiani dressed as a footballer. Iranian politicians were recently criticised for interfering in sports in the country. The politician took offence at the cartoon and sued the artist for insulting him, resulting in a Markazi province court sentencing Shokraye to lashing. Many have taken to social media to express their outrage at the sentence.
01 May 12 | Index Index, Middle East and North Africa, minipost
An 80-year old head of a banned opposition party in Iran has been ordered to serve eight years in prison. Ebrahim Yazdi, activist and former foreign minister, was convicted in December 2011 on charges of “attempting to act against national security”. Yazdi, who is currently suffering with cancer and a heart condition was informed on 16 April by Evin prison that he had 20 days to surrender to serve the 2011 sentence. The elderly activist, who was a key figure in the 1979 Islamic revolution, refuses to acknowledge that the charges against him are valid.
