European Union Calls for Immediate Review of Nasrin Sotoudeh's Sentence

On Tuesday, March 12, the spokesperson for Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief, described the sentencing of Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist, to "prison and lashes" as a "worrying development" and called for an "immediate review" of the sentence. Maya Kocijancic, Mogherini's spokesperson, stated: "The recent conviction of Nasrin Sotoudeh, a human rights lawyer, to at least seven years in prison is a worrying development." On Monday, conflicting reports emerged regarding a sentence of 33 years in prison and 148 lashes for Nasrin Sotoudeh. The UN reporter noted that repression in Iran has intensified. Meanwhile, Mohammad Moghisheh, head of Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court, stated that Nasrin Sotoudeh has been sentenced to "seven years in prison." However, the EU spokesperson emphasized that Nasrin Sotoudeh, a Sakharov Prize laureate, was tried and convicted in absentia in a process lacking fair trial and violating the most basic rights of the accused. The statement added that the EU expects an immediate review of the sentence issued against Nasrin Sotoudeh and her husband, Reza Khandan, who was sentenced to six years in prison last January. The spokesperson for Federica Mogherini stressed that the EU also expects Iran to respect and uphold the right of Reza Khandan and Nasrin Sotoudeh to appeal their sentences. In this context, Antonio Tajani, President of the European Parliament, also condemned the new sentence for Nasrin Sotoudeh. Tajani tweeted that Nasrin Sotoudeh has dedicated her life to defending women's rights and opposing the death penalty, stating that the European Parliament stands by her. Meanwhile, Reza Khandan, Nasrin Sotoudeh's husband, told AFP on Tuesday that of the total 33-year prison sentences issued against his wife, the longest, which is 10 years, will be enforced. Nasrin Sotoudeh was previously arrested in September 2010 and spent three years in prison. This lawyer has been in prison since June 13 of this year. According to Reza Khandan, Sotoudeh's 10-year sentence is related to the charge of "encouraging corruption and prostitution and providing the means for it" (related to hijab), which will be enforced.