Iranian opposition figures called back to prison

02/28/11 Source: Radio Zamaneh

Government critics Mohammad Nourizad and Abdollah Ramazanzadeh have been recalled back to the Islamic Republic prison after having been released on bail.

Kaleme reports that Ramazanzadeh, an executive member of the reformist group Islamic Iran Participation Front, was called back to Evin Prison on Saturday.

Ramazanzadeh was arrested in the post-election clampdown on reformists and sentenced to six years in prison on three charges: "activities against national security", "propaganda against the regime" and "keeping classified information."

A senior member of the Participation Front, Mohammadreza Khatami, had this comment: "Abdollah Ramazanzadeh returned to Evin Prison, which has been filled with Greens. He was told that he had to give a public interview and issue an announcement condemning the February 14 protests and the Islamic Iran Participation Front or return to prison. He chose to do the right thing rather than sell his freedom and pride."

The protest movement that has taken shape following the allegations of fraud in the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 2009 has come to known as the Green Movement.

Nourizad, an Iranian journalist and filmmaker, was also called back to prison following his leave on bail.

Nourizad has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison and 50 lashes for writing letters to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, that were critical of the leader's reaction to post-election developments. He is charged with "propaganda against the regime and insulting officials."