Lawyer of Afsaneh Bayegan: Court Ruling is 'Legally Invalid'

The lawyer of Afsaneh Bayegan described the charge of 'encouraging corruption and prostitution' due to wearing a hat as 'the personal opinions of the judge' and 'legally invalid', and characterized her client's conviction to confiscate her phone and restrict internet access as a 'violation of her civil rights'. Elmira Noori Zeynal stated in an interview with Etemad newspaper on Saturday, July 31, that the use of hats as a hijab among Iranian female filmmakers is a longstanding practice and said, 'The issued ruling merely reflects the personal opinions of the issuing judge.' Afsaneh Bayegan was initially accused by the court of 'improper hijab in public' after attending the theater 'Cafe Asheghi' wearing a hat, and then faced charges of 'encouraging corruption and prostitution through improper hijab' in Branch 1088 of the Judiciary Complex of Guidance. Bayegan's lawyer also criticized her client's conviction to 'restrict access to the internet by confiscating mobile phones and SIM cards', calling this ruling a 'violation of civil rights'. Elmira Noori Zeynal considered the 'diagnosis of personality disorders' regarding her client to be within the expertise of 'a psychiatrist, not a judge'. In this case, Afsaneh Bayegan has been sentenced to treatment for 'anti-family personality disorder' through 'weekly visits to a psychology center and obtaining a health certificate' and 'prohibition of using cyberspace (by making SIM cards and mobile and landline phones inaccessible) for two years'. So far, at least two actresses, Afsaneh Bayegan and Leila Bolukat, have faced judicial sentences including imprisonment and exile for wearing hats as hijab. These rulings have faced protests from filmmakers and four associations of psychiatric and psychological specialists. Following widespread protests in Iran, an increasing number of women, including actresses and athletes, have removed their headscarves as a sign of opposition. In recent months, the Iranian government has attempted to prevent civil disobedience among women by issuing heavy judicial sentences. Resignation of a member of the legal committee of the House of Cinema: 'I consider the prevailing trend to be contrary to human dignity and human rights'. Pejman Bazghi criticized judicial rulings against female actors opposing compulsory hijab. Specialists criticized the rulings of compulsory hijab courts: 'Diagnosing mental disorders is not within the judge's authority'. Continued crackdown on opponents of compulsory hijab; Afsaneh Bayegan was sentenced to 'treatment for mental illness'. Punishment for opposing compulsory hijab: 10 months in prison in Semnan for Leila Bolukat's hat. The Deputy Minister of Culture and Guidance: 'Cooperation with actors who have removed their hijabs has consequences.'