17/05/2016 JUA Case No Country Mandate(s) IRN 12/2016 Iran (Islamic Republic of) Freedom of expression; Human rights defenders; Iran; Summary of the allegation transmitted Alleged detention and sentencing of four Iranian journalists for exercising their right to freedom of expression. According to the information received, Ms. Afarine Chitsaz, a journalist of the daily newspaper “Iran”, Mr. Ehssan Mazandarani, the editor of the daily newspaper “Farhikhteghan” and Mr. Saman Safarzai, a journalist of the monthly publication “Andisheh Pouya”, were all arrested in November 2015 by the Revolutionary Guard and, in March 2016, received sentences of up to ten years in prison on charges including “assembly and collusion against national security”. Mr. Issa Saharkhiz, an independent journalist, was also arrested at this time and remains detained in hospital on hunger strike with further complications caused by a recent heart attack. Mr. Mazandarani was the subject of a previous communication sent on 31 January 2013, see A/HRC/23/51, case no IRN 6/2013. Mr. Saharkhiz was the subject of four previous communications sent on 10 July 2009, 11 February 2010, 1 April 2010 and 7 October 2010 (case nos. IRN 18/2009, IRN 7/2010, IRN 10/2010 and IRN 30/2010). Reply A/HRC/33/32 84 Date Type