On 20 April 2020, Kayvan Samimi, was sentenced in absentia by the Iran Revolutionary Court following his arrest on 1 May 2019 during a peaceful demonstration on International Workers' Day in Tehran. The journalist has expressed his concerns about the Court decision through a private Telegram channel. According to Iranian media the charges against Samimi include having founded the People's Liberation Party (a socialist party founded 22 years ago), being the Chief Editor of Iran Farda, inflaming citizens and taking part in illegal public meetings.
Samimi had already served six years in jail from 2009 to 2015 following his reporting of the 2009 elections.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "We are appalled by this Court decision sentencing a well-respected colleague to jail because he marched for workers’ rights among other allegations. Iran must respect journalists trade union rights and stop attacking reporters and breaching fundamental human rights"