Iran: Cartoonist Eludes Sentence of 25 Lashes for Drawing Politician
Cartoon of Ahmad Lotfi Ashtyani that landed Mahmoud Shokraye in trouble with authorities.
An Iranian cartoonist, Mahmoud Shokraye, was sentenced [fa] to 25 whiplashes for drawing a cartoon of former conservative member of parliament, Ahmad Lotfi Ashtyani in Amir Nameh magazine in Arak.
A campaign to support the cartoonist was launched online, and several cartoonists drew cartoons in support of Mahmoud Shokraye.
It seems the campaign was successful, since finally the former politician withdrew his complaint [fa] on Monday, May 14, 2012.
Mana Neyestani, a leading Iranian cartoonist who has also been jailed for his cartoons, made a cartoon to support the cause.
Cartoon by Mana Neyestani from Mardomak.org
Vahid Nikgoo drew a cartoon where Ahmad Lotfi Ashtyani looks himself in a mirror and says, “When I take you to court and sentence you to lashes, you will learn not to show me like that.”
An image can be worth more than 1000 words, but in Iran a cartoon can cost you jail and lashes.