Golaleh Vatandoost, Lawyer, Sentenced to 80 Months in Prison

The first branch of the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj sentenced Golaleh Vatandoost, a lawyer and women's rights activist in Marivan, to six years, seven months, and twenty days in prison. The charges against this dissenting lawyer include 'propaganda against the regime in cyberspace,' 'forming and joining the Zhivano group to act against national security,' and 'membership in opposition groups.' According to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization, Vatandoost's trial took place on September 12 of this year, and her case has been referred to the Kurdistan Provincial Court of Appeals for a final ruling. Golaleh Vatandoost was arrested on October 3, 2022, during nationwide protests and was temporarily released after about two weeks on a one billion tomans bail. Hengaw reports that this women's and children's rights activist has been summoned and interrogated multiple times due to her activities by security agencies. Following the nationwide protests of 2022, the Iranian government has intensified pressure on lawyers and legal experts. Recently, the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Mashhad sentenced Khosrow Ali-Kordi, a lawyer, to one year in prison, two years of exile, and deprivation of social rights on the charge of 'propaganda against the regime.' In recent months, the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Shiraz has accused three human rights lawyers of 'collaboration with hostile governments,' 'gathering and conspiracy to commit crimes against national security,' and 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic.' Eleven international organizations of lawyers and legal experts issued a statement describing the charges against these three lawyers, Mahmoud Taravotroui, Nazanin Salari, and Masoud Ahmadian Asadabadi, as 'baseless.' Previously, Sina Yousofi, a lawyer, told Voice of America that security agencies and the judicial protection information of the Islamic Republic are trying to dissolve the Human Rights Commission of the Bar Associations in Iran, posing a 'risk of dissolution' to these associations. Additionally, see: Exclusive; Intelligence agencies' efforts to dissolve the Human Rights Commission of the Bar Associations in Iran. The conviction of Khosrow Ali-Kordi, lawyer for the families of Sepehri and Adinehzadeh, to a two-year ban from practicing law. A warning from a human rights lawyer: Narges Mansouri's life is in danger. A statement from 11 international organizations regarding the trial of three lawyers in Shiraz: their charges are 'baseless.' Erfan Karam Vaisi, lawyer for political prisoners and teachers, has been summoned to the prosecutor's office.