Five Female Political Prisoners Refuse to Attend Court Despite Summons for 'Charges Explanation'

Five female political prisoners at Evin Prison, who were subjected to 'beatings' by prison officials following their protest against the execution of Reza Rasayi, refused to attend the security court at Evin on Sunday, September 9. The summons for Narges Mohammadi, Mahbubeh Rezaei, Pariush Moslemi, Varisheh Moradi, and Pakhshan Azizi to the security court came after the political prisoners protested against the execution of Reza Rasayi and the beatings they endured from prison officials. According to a report published on Narges Mohammadi's Instagram account, this Nobel Peace Prize laureate, along with Mahbubeh Rezaei, Pakhshan Azizi, Varisheh Moradi, and Pariush Moslemi, were summoned to the security court at Evin but 'refused to attend.' Based on a summons issued on September 8 at Evin Prison, they were 'summoned to the 33rd District Court of the Holy Ardabili for charges explanation,' but all of them stated that they 'would not attend the court and have refused to go on September 9.' Following the execution of Reza Rasayi, a young protester from the Yarsan sect, female prisoners at Evin protested on August 7, after which intelligence and police officers at the prison beat several of them, an act that sparked widespread reactions. Among these reactions, the U.S. Department of State described the attack by prison officials on Narges Mohammadi and other female prisoners at Evin due to their peaceful protest against the execution of Reza Rasayi as 'deeply troubling' and condemned it. Furthermore, according to Narges Mohammadi's Instagram account, despite 'evidence of severe beatings, the prison and prosecution prevented the presence of a forensic representative to document bruises and injuries and even prevented the transfer of some injured individuals to the hospital despite the prison doctor's orders.' Additionally, following two nighttime sit-ins by female prisoners in the yard of Evin Prison protesting the issuance of death sentences (including against Pakhshan Azizi and Sharifeh Mohammadi) and the widespread implementation of death sentences across the country, prison officials imposed contact and visitation bans for several female prisoners ranging from one to three months. The Syndicate of Workers of the Bus Company condemned the deprivation of political female prisoners in Evin from phone contact and visitation. A wave of arrests has occurred ahead of the second anniversary of Mahsa's death; at least four citizens were arrested in Divandarreh. Student organizations issued a statement on the second anniversary of the nationwide protests: 'We neither forgive nor forget.' Narges Mohammadi's message to the Nobel Peace Conference: 'The resilience of women in Iran is inspiring; we are not afraid of execution.' Two Baha'i citizens residing in Rasht were sentenced to imprisonment and additional penalties. According to HRANA, following the correction of the case known as 'Ekbatana Town,' four defendants will be tried. Narges Mohammadi's reaction to the killing of Mohammad Mir Mousavi: 'The Islamic Republic is a regime filled with hatred, oppression, and discrimination.'