The IWMF has written a letter to Iranian and United Nations authorities on behalf of Iranian journalist Jila Baniyaghoob, winner of a 2009 IWMF Courage in Journalism Award. Baniyaghoob was sentenced to one year in jail and banned from practicing journalism for 30 years by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
Her lawyer placed an appeal on June 27, arguing that Baniyaghoob has twice been found innocent of charges and should not be placed in jeopardy again.
The IWMF is calling for the dismissal of charges against Baniyaghoob and for the release of her husband, journalist Bahman Ahmadi Amoyee, who is in prison in Iran.