News story
UK appalled by sentencing of cartoonist in Iran
The UK urges Iran to respect the right to freedom of expression after cartoonist Mahmoud Shokraye was sentenced 25 lashes.
An FCO spokesperson said:
“We are appalled to hear that the Iranian authorities have sentenced the cartoonist Mahmoud Shokraye to 25 lashes for nothing more than depicting an Iranian MP in a cartoon. Charges should never have been brought at all for this innocuous act, but it is sadly not surprising given the government has consistently shown such flagrant disregard for its citizens rights and freedoms. We urge Iran to respect the right to freedom of expression in all its forms and revoke this sentence.”
Published 11 May 2012