Athena Farghadani Transferred to Qarchak Prison After Arrest and Severe Beating

A human rights lawyer reported the "arbitrary detention" and "severe beating" of Athena Farghadani, a civil activist and cartoonist, and her transfer to Qarchak Prison in Shahr-e Rey. Mohammad Moeini, a lawyer and human rights defender, wrote on social media platform X on Sunday, April 15, that Athena Farghadani, an artist and former political prisoner, was arrested on Saturday. He also stated in a follow-up report that "Athena Farghadani was severely beaten after her arrest, with visible marks on her face." According to Moeini, this civil activist "refused to accept the bail set due to her arbitrary detention," which is why she was "transferred to Shahr-e Rey (Qarchak) Prison." Farghadani's lawyer had previously told the Persian section of Voice of America that this critical artist has been harassed by intelligence agencies since her release from prison in 2016. Pressure on civil activists in Iran continues, and in this context, Arzhang Mortazavi, a protesting student who has been deprived of education, has also been summoned to the criminal enforcement department in Karaj to serve a seven-month prison sentence. The continuation of the Islamic Republic's "illegal" actions includes missile strikes abroad and harassment of women domestically. Reactions to the Islamic Republic's attack on Israel have emerged, with Prince Reza Pahlavi stating that this "regime" poses an existential threat to both Iran and Israel. The government's crackdown on opponents of compulsory hijab has resumed, with social media users expressing their disdain. Samaneh Yasin, a jailed rapper, was hospitalized months after having his nose broken. There is ongoing uncertainty regarding Fahimeh Soltani, a detained student in Isfahan. Nasim Sabati, a Baha'i citizen, has been summoned to serve a three-year and eight-month prison sentence.