Nazila Maroufian, imprisoned journalist, temporarily released

Nazila Maroufian, an Iranian journalist, was released from Evin Prison on Saturday, September 9, on bail. According to the news agency 'HRANA,' her release was temporary and made possible by the introduction of a guarantor. Previously, she had been sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of 15 million tomans for 'propaganda against the regime' by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Maroufian had recently been temporarily released from Qarchak Prison after two days of detention, but was arrested again on September 8 by security forces of the Islamic Republic, who beat her and transferred her to the Tehran Prosecutor's Office. Her arrest occurred after she expressed support for Mehdi Yarahee, a protesting singer. On September 16, in a voice message from Evin Prison, she revealed that she had been 'assaulted' while in 'the worst possible condition.' The journalist, who went on a hunger strike in protest of the behavior of government agents, stated that this strike was not only a protest against her own situation but also 'for all women who are struggling to live in Iran.' Despite this, the judiciary of the Islamic Republic denied the allegations. This incident has received significant global attention and was met with protests from the U.S. Department of State. On September 15, the U.S. State Department described the systematic use of sexual violence by the Islamic Republic as 'disgusting' and emphasized the courage of Iranians in the face of such reprehensible actions aimed at intimidation. The State Department called the reports of sexual assault against Nazila Maroufian during her detention 'sad' and stressed that the Iranian regime's use of systematic sexual violence is designed to instill fear, shame, and silence in victims. However, the United States will continue its efforts to support human rights and fundamental freedoms for the people of Iran and work with allies to hold human rights violators accountable. Nazila Maroufian was also arrested on July 8 of this year after being summoned to Branch 1 of the Evin Prosecutor's Office and was later transferred to Evin Prison. She was informed of her charges by Branch 2 of the Evin Prosecutor's Office and was released on bail on August 12. The court session regarding her previous charges took place on August 6 in Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Ultimately, she was sentenced to two years in prison, a fine of 15 million tomans, and a five-year travel ban for 'propaganda against the regime and spreading falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion through an interview with the father of Mahsa Amini.' Her prison sentence was suspended for five years. Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and resident of Tehran originally from Saqqez, has a history of working with various media outlets and has previously faced arrests and legal actions for her activities. The U.S. described the reports of 'sexual assault' against Nazila Maroufian during her detention as 'disgusting.'