Iranian Sports Journalist Sofali “Released” From Prison

Iranian authorities have reportedly released sports journalist Mehdi Sofali on bail late on February 8 after he spent more than four months in prison on security charges.

The terms of his release were not immediately clear.

A court sentenced Sofali to five years imprisonment on December 4 for "gathering with the intention of committing a crime against the country's security."

He was also banned from carrying out any social activity and from leaving the country for two years.

Sofali has had no history of political activity and is not active on social media.

Dozens of journalists have been detained since the protest movement against Iran’s clerical establishment erupted across the country in September last year.

Some of them have been released. Others have been summoned, threatened and handed prison sentences.

Iranian authorities have arrested at least eight journalists and photographers since the start of the year due to their journalistic activities. Four of them were later released on bail, awaiting sentencing.

There have been Internet blackouts across Iran, restrictions on what Iranians can search for online, and interference in social media activity since the protests began.

Journalists have been prevented from doing their jobs by their own editors as well as officials.