Iranian Activist Lashed 74 Times For 'Insulting' Ahmadinejad
Activist Peyman Aref was lashed before being released from the notorious Evin prison on October 9.
Iranian Activist Lashed 74 Times For 'Insulting' Ahmadinejad
The picture below is the back of student activist Peyman Aref, who was lashed 74 times for "insulting the Iranian president."
Aref was lashed on October 9 before being released from Tehran's Evin prison, where he had spent the last 11 months because of his political activism.
Aref's wife, Samira Jamshidi, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda his interrogators and the chief of staff of Tehran's prosecutor were present when the lashing sentence was carried out.
She said the lashing sentence was apparently related to a letter Aref wrote in which he criticized President Mahmud Ahmadinejad over the increasing pressure on universities.
She described the sentence as "revenge" against Aref by the authorities, who she said weren't able to break him through other methods, including solitary confinement.
Persian Letters is a blog that offers a window into Iranian politics and society. Written primarily by Golnaz Esfandiari, Persian Letters brings you under-reported stories, insight and analysis, as well as guest Iranian bloggers -- from clerics, anarchists, feminists, Basij members, to bus drivers. Follow @GEsfandiari
