Prominent Iranian filmmaker Sentenced To Prison

TEHRAN -- Iran's reformist daily "Sharq" is reporting that prominent filmmaker, journalist and blogger Mohammad Nourizad has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison and 50 lashes.

Nourizad was arrested in December after publishing three open letters to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in protest of the government's crackdown on opposition activists following the country's disputed June presidential election.

Human Rights Watch reported at least 30 killed by Iranian security forces and thousands detained during the street protests, which broke out after the election. More than 100 people were put on trial over the election events.

RFE/RL's Radio Farda with agency reports