http://www.rahana.org/en/?p=7152
20 , September , 2010
The Prosecutor is seeking the death penalty for Hossein Derakhshan in the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court.
RAHANA: Yesterday, there were rumors that either the Prosecutor is seeking a death penalty for Hossein Derakhshan or that there is a possibility that the court will sentence him to execution. The RAHANA reporter has confirmed the reports and he has been threatened to receiving a death sentence and may in fact receive the sentence.According to RAHANA, the psychological and physical condition of Hossein Derakhshan who is currently held in the IRGC-run Ward 2A is extremely poor. His first court hearing was held on June 23, 2009 and he was charged with anti-regime propaganda, blasphemy and administrating obscene websites.There have been no further details of the case. The Kamtarin website which published the report in regards to the possibility of death sentence for Derakhshan has stated that “punishment for Derakhshan and deterrence of similar crimes” are the reasons behind the death penalty request.
Derakhshan was arrested on November 1, 2008 when he had recently returned to Iran. He has been held in temporary detention and solitary confinement for the past 2 years.