The grim news from Iran is that student and activist Ali Kantouri has been sentenced to 15 years in prison as a result of his political activities.  Kantouri participated in the National Students’ Day demonstrations of December 2007 and, like a number of his fellow left activists, he was persecuted for his activities and was subsequently arrested, tortured and detained for an extended period of time over the course of the last two years.

According to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Kantouri‘s sentence was issued by Branch 104 of the Sanandaj General Court and immediately prior to the pronouncement of sentencing, Ali continued to deny the charges against him.  There is a chance that the sentence may be reduced or otherwise amended but there is no information regarding the likelihood of such a development.

Ali Kantouri has friends and admirers around the world.  We grieve for Ali and his family and we hope that the Iranian people will ultimately unite and set right the terrible crimes committed by the theocracy and its ruling clique.  These despots have systematically and methodically victimized the people of Iran for decades.

The unjust imprisonment of Ali Kantouri should serve as a stark reminder to Western Marxists -- as well as progressives and activists everywhere -- that anti-imperialism is not the sole hallmark of a worthwhile or viable political system.  Political Islam is, in and of itself, overtly hostile to political opponents, workers and students, employing barbarism of the worst kind upon all those who struggle against such dogma and oppression.  Ali Kantouri – like his comrades Peyman Piran and Behrouz Karimizadeh – can certainly attest to this.

A better world is possible.  A better world is necessary.

Aluta continua!