Iran has freed journalist Esmail Jafari on bail of more than $60,000 after he was sentenced to five months in prison on charges of anti-government propaganda. He has appealed his sentence. Simultaneously with his release, Iran announced it is assigning a special prosecutor for “Internet crimes.”

The Reporters without Borders watchdog organization charged that the government is using intimidation “in the absence of the ability to control more than 18 million Internet users.” Jafari maintained a blog called “Voice of the People.” He was arrested for covering a demonstration by workers who had been dismissed and was charged with “disseminating information abroad” and spying.