Watchdog

An Iranian revolutionary court has sentenced a journalist to a nearly 13-year prison term over security charges, Iranian media report.

Reformist journalist Hengameh Shahidi can appeal the verdict that sentenced her to 12 years and 9 months in jail. She has also been banned from joining political groups, media activity, and leaving the country.

"Given the confidentiality of the proceedings and the security nature of the case, I cannot disclose details about the court's verdict," Shahidi's lawyer Mostafa Turk Hamedani told the official government news agency IRNA.

Shahidi, 43, has been in jail since June.

She was previously jailed following the 2009 state crackdown that followed a disputed presidential election.

Shahidi was also detained for several months in 2017.

In recent years, Iran has detained scores of journalists and activists over vague security charges.

The Islamic republic ranks 164th on Reporters Without Borders' 2018 World Press Freedom Index.

Based on reporting by IRNA, AP and AFP

Pakistan will charge the detained leaders of a hard-line Islamist group with terrorism and sedition, the government said on December 1.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the leader of the Tehrik-e Labaik (TLP) party, cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, and two other TLP leaders have been booked under the charges, which could carry a life prison term.

Rizvi and more than 3,000 of his supporters were arrested during violent demonstrations following the October 31 acquittal of a Christian woman in a blasphemy case.

Rizvi and the other TLP leaders are accused of inciting violence and making incendiary comments about the judiciary and the military.

With reporting by Dawn and AP