Detention of Golara Abbasi, Political and Civil Activist, in West Tehran

Golara Abbasi, a civil and political activist, was arrested by government forces at her home in west Tehran on Wednesday, February 20. The reason for her arrest has been cited as her attempt to sell handicrafts produced by political prisoners. According to reports received by the Persian section of Voice of America, government agents entered Golara Abbasi's home and arrested her. The report states that Ms. Abbasi's teenage daughter is currently left alone at home and 'without guardianship.' The renewed arrest of Ms. Abbasi is linked to her efforts to 'sell handicrafts made by prisoners to support their livelihoods.' Golara Abbasi, a monarchist political activist, has previously been arrested and imprisoned and was released due to health issues under a 'non-imprisonment' ruling. She had been sentenced to two and a half years in prison by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran on charges of 'gathering and colluding against national security,' but was released due to a heart attack in Evin Prison, as she could not endure imprisonment. Ms. Abbasi suffers from multiple illnesses, including a herniated disc, rheumatism, and arthritis, and according to doctors' assessments, she cannot endure prison conditions. Pressure on civil and political activists by the Islamic Republic in Iran is increasing. Previously, Pouran Nazemi, a human rights activist, told Voice of America that the Islamic Republic is trying to cut off the 'economic lifeline' of activists to exert more pressure on them.