THE International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has joined the Association of Iranian Journalists to demand the immediate release of Amir Hossein Miresmaeli, who worked for the Jahan Sanaat economic newspaper.

Mr Miresmaeli has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, two years of “deprivation of activity in the media and cyberspace” and a two-year ban on leaving Iran as well as a fine after being arrested for a tweet calling on people to send food and supplies to the besieged population of Gaza.

It was his second arrest of the year, following his detention in April for a tweet supposedly mocking Shia Imam Reza, who is buried in Mashhad, and asking why concerts are not allowed in that city. That incident saw him jailed for a month after he had deleted his tweet and apologised.

IFJ general secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “The Iranian authorities must stop their campaign of harassment and intimidation against the media. Iranian journalists must have the right to express critical views without fearing for their safety or freedom.”