Majid Tavakoli, a prominent jailed student activist and one of the symbols of Iran’s embattled student movement, has been given prison leave for the first time since his arrest in 2009.

Tavakoli was arrested after publicly criticizing repression in Iran.

He was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison on a number of charges, including insulting Iran’s leaders.

In prison, Tavakoli has reportedly faced harsh treatment and gone on hunger strike to protest his conditions.

Tavakoli is widely admired for his stances and his courage to stand up to the Iranian regime.

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Human rights activists and others launched an online campaign in his support after state media mocked him with pictures of him wearing female clothes after his arrest.

The opposition website Kalame reports that he has been given four days of leave.

By RFE/RL’s Radio Farda