4 bloggers sentenced in Iran

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Iran violated the rights of four bloggers by coercing them into confessing, and then trying and convicting them, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.

They were tried even though a judicial investigation had confirmed they were subjected to physical and psychological abuse, and lengthy periods in solitary confinement after being arrested in 2004, the group said. They were sentenced last week to prison terms, fines and flogging.

"These sentences are shocking, given that the head of the judiciary himself admitted the evidence had been obtained by coercion," said Joe Stork, deputy director of human rights group's Middle East division. "The judges should be investigating and prosecuting abusers, not their victims."

Three of the four men are living outside Iran. They were convicted of a variety of charges, including participating in founding illegal organizations and membership in illegal groups.