New Charges Against Shakila Monfared, Political Prisoner; Sentenced to Seven Years and Seven Months in Prison and 10 Lashes

Shakila Monfared's defense lawyer announced that in the latest case opened against this constitutionalist political prisoner, the judiciary of the Islamic Republic has sentenced her to a total of "seven years and seven months in prison and 10 lashes." Ali Sharifzadeh Ardekan, Monfared's lawyer, stated on Sunday, September 2, that his client was sentenced to "six years and seven months in prison" for the charge of "destruction of public property" and "one year in prison and 10 lashes" for the charge of "disturbing public order and tranquility." Previously, a source close to Shakila Monfared had told Voice of America that this case was opened following a complaint by Masoumeh Shaghaghi, deputy prosecutor and assistant district attorney. Monfared was arrested on July 27 while visiting the prosecutor's office to request an extension of her five-day medical leave, which she had been granted for gallbladder surgery. She had previously revealed that "after undergoing an endoscopy at Mehrad Hospital, I went to the eighth district prosecutor's office and faced insults and beatings from myself and my father." This political prisoner went on a hunger strike in protest against the renewed case against her by the authorities of the Islamic Republic and was subsequently transferred to the hospital. Monfared was transferred from Evin Prison to Taleghani Hospital in Tehran last summer on a one billion tomans bail for gallbladder surgery and was returned to prison without completing her recovery process. This constitutionalist political prisoner has been continuously imprisoned since February 2021 and has faced multiple fabricated cases during her imprisonment.