Atefeh Rangriz, Women's Rights Activist, Arrested in Damghan

Radio Farda has learned that Atefeh Rangriz, a women's rights activist residing in Rasht, has been arrested in Damghan. Informed sources told Radio Farda on Saturday, July 9, that Ms. Rangriz was arrested after being summoned to the Revolutionary Court of Damghan and transferred to Shahroud Prison. This women's rights activist had announced on July 2 in an Instagram story that she was accused of 'forming a group with the intent to disrupt national security' and 'propaganda against the regime and spreading falsehoods in cyberspace.' Ms. Rangriz described these charges as 'ridiculous,' stating that they were made against her while she has been unable to lead a normal life due to 'psychological and physical stress' from her arrest and imprisonment, 'let alone engage in any minor activities.' She also announced that the final ruling on her previous case had been issued by the Semnan Province Court of Appeals. Atefeh Rangriz was arrested by security forces just days before the anniversary of the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in the custody of the morality police in September 2022 and was transferred to the Intelligence Department of Semnan. After 40 days of detention, suffering from a heart condition, she was temporarily released on bail. A month later, she was sentenced to a fine and supplementary punishment for 'propaganda against the regime,' 'encouraging and inciting people to protest and clash,' and 'collaborating with anti-regime groups and media,' but her appeal was rejected due to the prosecutor's objection. Atefeh Rangriz has a history of previous arrests and imprisonment; she was arrested during the Labor Day gathering in 2019 and sentenced to 11.5 years in prison.