News

Iranian student activist and blogger Kianoosh Sanjari has been released from prison after over two month's detention. He was released on bail of 100 million touman (over US$100,000) by the Special Court for the Clergy on 27 December.

Kianoosh was arrested on 7 October whilst reporting on clashes between security forces and supporters of Shi'a cleric Ayatollah Sayed Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi. He was held incommunicado at an unknown location.

He is believed to have been accused of "acting against state security" and "propaganda against the system", although he does not yet appear to have been formally charged. No date has been set for a trial to begin.

Amnesty international launched a web action on 10 November calling on the Iranian authorities to release him immediately or to make public any charges against him and to ensure that these were communicated to both Kianoosh and his lawyer without delay.

Kianoosh thanked Amnesty International for its efforts in a posting on his blog in which he thanked all those who worked on his behalf.