Iranian journalist sues Nokia after call lands him in jail

London, Aug 26 (ANI): An Iranian journalist is suing cell phone manufacturer Nokia, which helped Iranian authorities to track him down and put him behind bars.

Isa Saharkhiz was captured and sent to jail more than a year ago, and his family says has broken ribs from his severe beatings, reports the Herald Sun.

Saharkhiz was charged with attempting to overthrow the government following an article that he had penned down during opposition protests in 2009.

The authorities tracked down the journalist, who had left Iran and went into hiding, after he turned on his Nokia set for an interview.

Saharkhiz is suing Nokia through his son in a US court on grounds that he was beaten and mistreated because the company knowingly sold its surveillance technology to the Iranian regime, which is known for its human rights abuses.

"Nokia sold this technology to Iran knowing that it will be used not in the way that it was meant to be. We're talking about a country that all around the world you're not able to sell airplane spare parts to, but Nokia, for making a few more bucks they've risked so many people's lives," the paper quoted Saharkhiz's son Mehdi as saying.

"We're hoping to set a precedent so companies like this don't sell people's rights to make a few more dollars," he added.

Nokia admitted selling the technology to Iran, but blamed Tehran for misusing the technology. (ANI)