Iran sentences prominent rights activist to 6 years in jail, but she escapes death penalty

Iran sentences rights activist to 6 years in jail

TEHRAN, Iran — An Iranian newspaper says a court has sentenced a prominent human rights activist to six years in prison on security charges.

The pro-reform Sharq daily said Wednesday that Emadoddin Baghi was convicted of “spreading propaganda” against the ruling establishment as well as planning to “violate national security.”

The 48-year-old Baghi has been on trial or in jail almost continually since 2000 over similar charges.

The latest case against him began after he was detained in late December when Iran’s hardline government arrested hundreds of opposition activists after an anti-government protest.

Baghi is an active campaigner for prisoners’ rights and against the death penalty.

Iranian authorities have accused him of using activism as a guise to cover anti-government activities.