Human rights media have reported the sentencing of Masoumeh Soleimani, a bronze medal-winning wrestler, to one year in prison. According to the human rights organization HRANA, the criminal court in Khorramabad sentenced the 36-year-old Soleimani to one year of punitive imprisonment, taking into account her previous time in detention, on Sunday, August 6. The issued sentence for this former wrestling champion will be enforceable if confirmed by the appeals court in Lorestan province. Masoumeh Soleimani has been charged with 'inciting violent acts in cyberspace.' Previously, images of Masoumeh Soleimani at the grave of Nika Shakeri, a teenager killed during nationwide protests, had been circulated on social media. Security forces buried this teenage protester in a remote village called 'Hayat al-Ghayb,' located 40 kilometers from Khorramabad. According to HRANA, this Alish wrestler was arrested on May 9 of this year in Khorramabad and was later released on bail until the end of the proceedings. Masoumeh Soleimani had also been arrested once in previous years and faced a ban from participating in sports events. This wrestling coach was arrested during the nationwide protests in November 2019 and spent more than a month in Khorramabad Central Prison. In 2016, after returning from the World Wrestling Championships, she was banned from participating in sports events for six months. No information has been released regarding her charges in 2019 or the reasons for her sports ban in 2016. The crackdown on athletes supporting protests has intensified; security forces raided the home of Hossein Mahini, while the Supreme Court accused Sahand Nourmohammadzadeh of 'moharebeh' (waging war against God) after 'overruling its previous ruling.' Elnaz Rekabi participated with bail in her first global tournament after the 'hijab controversy.' An Iranian chess player in exile is not regretting removing her hijab. Reactions to the release of several other prisoners on February 11; 'pardon' for those who 'did not commit a crime.'
Masoumeh Soleimani, Wrestling Champion, Sentenced to One Year in Prison
Masoumeh Soleimani, a 36-year-old wrestling champion, has been sentenced to one year in prison for allegedly inciting violence online, following her public support for a teenage protester killed during nationwide protests. This case highlights the ongoing repression of athletes in Iran who express dissent, reflecting broader issues of human rights and freedom of expression in the country.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Masoumeh Soleimani sentenced to one year in prison for inciting violence in cyberspace.
- Khorramabad criminal court indict Masoumeh Soleimani
- Iranian security forces arrest Masoumeh Soleimani
- Iranian authorities crackdown athletes supporting protests
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The sentencing of Masoumeh Soleimani underscores the risks faced by athletes in Iran.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%