Five More Women Activists Sentenced to Imprisonment in Lakan Prison, Rasht

Five civil activists in Gilan province, who were arrested in Rasht last November, have been sentenced to a total of over 20 years in prison. Nina Golestani, Anahita Hajazi, Anahita Doostdar, Rezita Rajai, and Negin Adalatkhah are five women activists from Gilan who were active in the fields of culture and the environment. These five women were arrested on November 20 by the intelligence agents of the IRGC in Rasht and have now been sentenced by the judicial system of the Islamic Republic to a total of over 20 years and seven months of prison time. According to Radio Farda sources, each of these civil activists was sentenced to three years and six months for the charge of 'conspiracy and collusion' and to seven months and 16 days for the charge of 'propaganda against the regime.' This ruling was issued by the third branch of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasakhi. Radio Farda reported last November that at least 20 individuals were arrested by the intelligence agents of the IRGC in Rasht and transferred to an unknown location. Nina Golestani and Rezita Rajai, both writers, Anahita Hajazi, the manager of an animal shelter in Rasht, along with Anahita Doostdar and Negin Adalatkhah were among those arrested, who were later temporarily released from Lakan Prison in Rasht. The city of Rasht, the capital of Gilan province, witnessed widespread protests and severe repression by the Islamic Republic's agents during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests that began following the death of Mahsa Amini in the fall of 1401. After the suppression of these protests, many women civil activists in Gilan province were summoned and arrested. For instance, on August 25 of last year, 12 women activists residing in Gilan province were arrested in Fuman, Anzali, and Lahijan. These activists were collectively sentenced to 'over 60 years in prison,' which was confirmed in the Gilan provincial appeals court on June 8 of this year, and several of them were sent to Lakan Prison in Rasht. Sara Jahani, a women's rights activist, was 'arrested in the street and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.' Six other women civil activists from Gilan have also been sent to Lakan Prison. Civil activists in Gilan are heading to a prison that 'lacks even the minimum facilities.' A UN reporter expressed concern about threats of 'rape and death' against women's rights activists in Iran.