Iran criticizes EU Parliament over Sakharov prize
Iran has criticized the European Parliament for awarding a human
rights prize to two Iranian dissidents, Radio Liberty reported.
The European Parliament in October awarded the 2012 Sakharov Prize
for Freedom of Thought to human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and
filmmaker Jafar Panahi, citing their courage in defending
fundamental liberties in the face of oppression by the Iranian
regime.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted on
December 16 as accusing the EU of having "political" goals in
giving the prize to Iranians.
Mehmanparast accused the EU of having a "selective" view of human
rights, saying the bloc should focus on rights shortcomings inside
the EU.
Sotoudeh is serving a six-year jail sentence for spreading
propaganda and conspiring against state security.
Panahi has been held under house arrest since December 2010 for
making antigovernment propaganda.