Motahareh Ghonei, a Student Deprived of Education: They Made My Life Hell; They Said I Shouldn't Stay in Iran

Motahareh Ghonei, a suspended and exiled student activist, states that her deprivation of education at Tehran University has entered its second year. This dental student and former political secretary of the Islamic Students Association at Tehran University and Medical Sciences mentioned in a note on social media platform 'X' that September 8, 2022, marks the beginning of her educational deprivation at Tehran University, writing: 'Tomorrow marks two years since I have been deprived of my home, which is Tehran University.' Criticizing the pressures, Ghonei wrote: 'They have left me no day or night and have made my life hell. They said I shouldn't stay in Iran, otherwise it would be bad for me. I said I won't trade this hell for your filthy paradise. Tomorrow marks two years since they have dedicated themselves to my destruction.' About two months ago, this student activist was accused of 'propaganda activities against the regime in favor of anti-revolutionary media' after protesting the death sentence issued for imprisoned rapper Tomaj Salehi and was sentenced to one year in prison. Ghonei was arrested during the nationwide 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests on October 4, 2022, and was later sentenced to 24 months of educational deprivation and exile to Ardabil University of Medical Sciences. Following the nationwide 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, pressure on students and the repression and harassment of them, especially female students, intensified. Many students were arrested or suspended from their studies, and professors who supported them faced similar fates. Students and professors from over 120 universities in Iran, during the nationwide protests of 2022, expressed their support for the protesting people and called for the 'overthrow' and complete elimination of the Islamic Republic in Iran.