Several domestic and foreign journalists and correspondents on Thursday attended the open-door trial of Akbar Ganji, a dissident journalist imprisoned for undermining the revolutionary principles and libeling some high-ranking government officials.
At his open-door trial, Ganji once again leveled some accusations against the officials and tried to spread some false propaganda against the system irrespective of religious and moral values.
Individuals like Ganji use all means to promote their personal interests at the expense of national interests. And it is unfortunate that such individuals enjoy the total support of the Culture Ministry in their diabolic campaign to tarnish the image of the Islamic Republic.
At his open-door trial on Thursday Ganji claimed that he had been tortured in Evin Prison. However, the prison authorities on Monday denied his claim, saying that "the allegations made by Ganji are completely false and are only aimed at creating an atmosphere of intimidation.
" One of the prison officials, who asked not to be named, further said, "Ganji's charges of torture, beatings and threats are baseless." Ganji charged in court on Thursday that he had been hung upside down by the prison guards, claiming that they kicked him repeatedly in the head and stomach.
He said he had refused to wear the standard prison clothes, but the guards had forced him to do so.
Ganji was jailed in April for publishing a series of articles undermining the revolutionary principles and libeling some senior government officials.
He is presently on trial over his participation at a controversial conference in Germany sponsored by anti-revolutionary elements.
Six charges were leveled against Ganji at Thursday's hearing, including acting against national security, spreading propaganda against the Islamic system, insulting Islamic sanctities and undermining religious and revolutionary principles.