Eleven Women's Rights Activists in Gilan Sentenced to Over 60 Years in Prison for 'Conspiracy and Collusion'

The third branch of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht sentenced 11 women's rights activists and political activists arrested in August 2023 in Gilan to a total of over 60 years in prison. According to the 'Bidar Zani' channel, the sentences for these activists were issued on Wednesday, March 27, by Judge Mehdi Rasakhi. Based on this report, Zahra Dadras was sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison, while eight other women named Forough Sami'nia, Sara Jahani, Yasmin Hashedari, Shiva Shah Sia, Negin Rezaei, Matin Yazdani, Azadeh Chavoshian, and Zahra Dadras were each sentenced to over 6 years in prison. While all nine activists were charged with 'conspiracy and collusion,' Zahra Dadras faced the charge of 'forming a group aimed at undermining national security,' and the other eight activists were charged with 'membership in a group.' Two other defendants in this case, Jalveh Javaheri and Hooman Taheri, were also sentenced to one year in prison each for 'propaganda against the regime.' The court session to address the charges against these 11 activists was held on Friday, February 28, 2024, in the third branch of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht. These women's rights activists and political activists were arrested on August 16, 2023, by government agents in the cities of Rasht, Anzali, Lahijan, and Fuman. They were temporarily released from Lakan Prison in Rasht about two months later on bail. According to the Hengaw human rights organization, in 2023, at least 22 women were executed in the prisons of the Islamic Republic, 325 female activists were arrested, and 147 female activists were sentenced to imprisonment, flogging, and execution. The report stated that 139 women activists were sentenced to a total of over 553 years in prison, and 10 of them were collectively sentenced to 557 lashes. The court addressing the charges against twelve women's rights activists was held in Rasht. Reports of 'mass arrests' of civil women activists in Rasht have emerged. The Islamic Republic is exerting pressure on activists in cyberspace; 10 more individuals were arrested in Gilan.