September 26, 2016, the judicial sentences of three members of the Writers’ Association of Iran will be carried out .
According to the Writers’ Association of Iran, the sentences of three members of the association, Reza Khandan Mahabadi, Baktash Abtin and Keyvan Bazhan, will be carried out on Saturday, the 26th of September .
Announcement of the Writers’ Association of Iran in this regard:
” Reza Khandan (Mahabadi) and Baktash Abtin, two members of the board of directors of the Writers’ Association of Iran, were each sentenced to six years in prison, and Keyvan Bazhen, a former board member, to three years and six months in prison.
Earlier on July 1 this year, they were summoned to Branch One of the Enforcement of Judgments; But the execution of the sentence was postponed until the 26th of September. In an interview with the three authors, they said that they would be present at the sentencing hearing on Saturday morning (26th of September). This will happen in which according to experts, in the coming autumn and winter, Covid 19 disease will intensify.
Reza Khandan (Mahabadi), Baktash Abtin and Keyvan Bazhen were tried in Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal of Tehran in May 2019, presided over by Judge Moghiseh, and each sentenced to six years in prison. They are charged with “propaganda against the regime” and “conspiracy to act against the security of the country.” Examples and “documents” of these accusations are the publication of the internal paper of the Writers’ Association of Iran, participation in compiling the “history booklet” of the Association, the statements of the Association and attending the anniversary ceremonies of Jafar Poyandeh, Mohammad Mokhtari and Ahmad Shamloo. In interviews with the authors, they stated that these “instances” and “documents” were merely excuses for accusations and trials, and that the main reason for their convictions was their opposition to censorship and their defense of freedom of expression.
A few months later, the Court of Appeals upheld the initial sentence of Reza Khandan (Mahabadi) and Baktash Abtin, reducing the sentence of Keyvan Bazhen to one year and six months. They were sentenced to a total of 15 years and six months in prison.
Reza Khandan, a researcher and literary critic, began writing in 1978 with the publication of the book “Local Children”.
In the field of literary criticism: “It comes out of the same jar what is in it”, a seven-volume collection of “My Favorite Stories” and “Seed and Measure” (two recent books shared with Ali Ashraf Darvishian).
In the field of collection and research: “Jang-e Razi” and a 19-volume collection of “Culture of Legends of the Iranian People” (shared with Ali Ashraf Darvishian).
In the field of fiction: “Local Children” and “Individuals” are in his repertoire.
He became a member of the Writers’ Association of Iran in 1998 and has been a member of its board of directors for five terms.
Bektash Abtin, a poet and filmmaker, began his literary career in the 1980s. He has published five books of poetry: “And Let’s Return to My Foot When It Was Written”, “My Eyelashes Have Sutured My Eyes”, “Identity Card”, “Sledgehammer” and “My Grandfather in My Monkey”.
Documentary: “October 13, 1937”, “Park Mark”, “Fariborz Reisdana” and. . .
He became a member of the Writers’ Association of Iran in the late 1980s and has been a member of its board of directors for three terms.
Writer and journalist Keyvan Bazhen began writing short stories in the 1980s. His literary activities include “Yesterday to Infinity Zero!” (Novel), “Behind the Gray Walls” (collection of stories) and “In the Alleys of Anxiety” (collection of stories).
In the field of oral history of contemporary Iranian literature: (Interview) “Shams Langroudi”, “Mehdi Ghobraei” and “Imran Salahi”.
And research works: “Samad Behrangi” (dialogue collection), “Man facing the world” and “with Ahmad Mahmoud”
Keyvan Bazhen joined the Writers’ Association of Iran in the 2000s and was elected to the board of directors for two terms.
