American Journalist Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison
April 22 -- Roxana Saberi's father told Radio Farda that he was barred from the courtroom during his daughter's trial. He said, "They asked Roxana to sign the verdict, but she refused and said she did not accept the ruling" [read in Persian / in English]. Meanwhile, Saberi's lawyer, Abdolfattah Soltani, told Radio Farda that Saberi has decided to launch a hunger strike. And Tehran University professor Sadegh Zibakalam has written an open letter to the Judiciary Chief about Saberi's case, saying, "If she is really a spy, then I should be tried in the same court as her accomplice because she has repeatedly interviewed me and translated my editorials for foreign media." Zibakalam added that Saberi's case is the worst possible response Iran could have sent to President Obama after his New Year's message to the people of Iran. [listen in Persian / read in English]
Mother of Imprisoned Student Pleads for Information
April 16 -- The mother a jailed Tehran University student told Radio Farda that authorities are refusing to tell her what charges he faces. [listen in Persian]
Five Labor Activists Sentenced to Year in Prison
April 20 -- After five labor activists from the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Factory were sentenced to one year in prison, the group's lawyer told Radio Farda that the sentence "is illegal and based on unsubstantiated reports from the Intelligence Ministry." [listen in Persian]
Presidential Candidates Vague on Policies
April 19 -- As Iran's presidential election nears, are candidates offering any detailed plans? Does Iran have any political factions in the real sense of the word today? A group of Tehran-based political analysts discussed these questions in Radio Farda's weekly roundtable, "Viewpoints." [read in Persian]
Female Candidate Running for President
April 21 -- Former MP Rafat Bayat discussed her candidacy for president in an interview with Radio Farda. [listen in Persian]