In an unprecedented and unexpected development Delaram Ali was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in appeals court. Delaram Ali was tried originally on 29 May 2007 for her participation in the June 12, 2006 protest in support of women’s rights in Hafte Tir Square which was violently broken up by police. Delaram was beaten severely during this protest, dragged on the ground by several police officers and subsequently arrested. She suffered a broken arm as a result of these severe beatings. Complaints were filed against police for use of excessive force and violence during the protest, by a number of women including Delaram. Last month though the judiciary found the police innocent in the case, and instead has now upheld a substantial portion of Delaram’s original sentence through an appeals court ruling.

She has to go to the prison in a few days. This seems to be the first time that a woman goes to the prison just because of her ideas regarding equality. Shirin Ebadi (nobel peace prize winner and her lawyer) told yesterday in a press conference to the governors: "Be brave! tell that a woman should go to the prison if she believes that men and women are equal. Why are hiding at the back of acting against national security and propaganda against the regime? Be brave and tell the world that SHE IS GOING TO THE PRISON AND HER CRIME IS: BELEIVING IN THE EQUALITY OF THE SEXES."

I liked this part but these speeches and press conferences are not going to change anything in an environment in which nobody has the right of talking about these issues in any media. She should have been in the prison yesterday but told "I will wait until Saturday and during these days will do some of my personal works". She is going to spend 30 months in prison with killers, drug dealers and prostitutes just because she believes in the wrongfulness of the discriminatory laws.

People are doing their best against this here. They are writing letters to the head of judiciary, they are writing on their weblogs, they are posting her photos but how much effect this will have? No much. But what else can be done? International organizations are also publishing their open letters, asking for justice and even they are speaking about sending and Human Rights Watch observer.. but delaram is going to the prison anyway. I think this is truth and we have to believe it.

There is a good news at last! My Persian blog (FreeKeyboard.net) is nominated for Reporters Without Borders Award for the freedom of expression at International Weblog Awards. You've never read my blog FreeKeyboard because it is in FARSI :) It is dedicated to the Freedom Of Speech and the Digital Rights. If you wanted to vote for me, The voting page and vote for me (and probably other blogs). I am on the Reporters Without Borders Award section: FreeKeyboard.