Iran ? An Iranian journalist lost an appeal Sunday against his conviction on charges of spreading propaganda against the ruling Islamic establishment and was sentenced to six years in prison and five years of internal exile in a remote desert town.

The court also confirmed a lifelong ban on political activity for the prominent reporter, Ahmad Zeidabadi, who was also once a student activist.

Zeidabadi was among more than 100 political figures and activists tried together in the aftermath of Iran’s disputed presidential election, which the opposition says was rigged to give Mahmoud Ahmadinejad another term in office.

The mass trial and a crackdown on street demonstrations has failed to silence the opposition movement, which has also confronted Iran’s clerical leaders and demanded greater social and political freedoms.