The case of jailed journalist Serajeddin Mirdamadi, who was recently sentenced to six years in jail in the preliminary court, has been forwarded to the appeals court.

The Shahrvand daily reported on Monday August 18 that Mirdamadi became the subject of judicial prosecution last year upon his return to Iran with his family for the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and he was sentenced by Judge Salavati on July 27 to six years in prison.

Mirdamadi returned to Iran after Hassan Rohani won last year’s presidential election with promises of greater political and press freedom.

His arrest has been attributed to the extremist reaction of the Islamic Republic’s conservative factions to the progressive policies of the Rohani administration.

Former president Mohammad Khatami has visited the Mirdamadi family and expressed dismay regarding the sentencing of the jailed journalist, saying these actions are not condoned by many people in leadership positions in the Islamic Republic.

Radio Zamaneh