Qazvin Prosecutor Sentences Mother of a Journalist to 'Free Service'

Human rights sources reported the sentencing of the mother of a jailed journalist in Qazvin to six months of 'free service' at an institution for mentally disabled women. The news agency 'HRANA' reported on Friday, July 28, that Mustafa Jafari's mother was accused of 'disrupting court order' while attempting to post bail for her son. According to the report, the seventh branch of the Qazvin Revolutionary Court sentenced Golzar Ardham, 60, to six months of 'free service' at one of the facilities for 'mentally and physically disabled women' under the supervision of Qazvin's welfare organization. The court has suspended the prosecution of this Qazvin resident for six months. Based on the ruling published on July 24, Mustafa Jafari's mother is required to submit a certificate of her activities to the court after completing six months of free service at the institution for mentally disabled women. The ruling did not provide details on how the accusation of 'disrupting court order' occurred, merely citing 'reports from security and guard personnel.' HRANA reported, citing an informed source, that after the investigating judge ignored this mother's attempts to post bail for her son, judicial authorities accused her of 'disrupting court order.' Mustafa Jafari, a journalist and editor-in-chief of the news website 'Titr,' who was released on bail after one day of detention, has been sentenced to a 'ban on any employment in journalism' and 'visiting public libraries' for 'studying media literacy and media ethics.' In recent months, following last year's nationwide protests, there has been a significant increase in unusual and unconventional rulings issued by the Islamic Republic's judiciary. Several actors, hijab opponents, journalists, and media activists have been targeted by these rulings in recent months. Previously, Yalda Moayeri, a press photographer, was sentenced to six years in prison, including two months of community service, for photographing the nationwide protests. The International Women's Media Foundation called Iranian women journalists a symbol of courage. Reyhaneh Ansarinezhad was sentenced to four years in prison. The pressure on women activists continues; the trial of 'Zeynab Zaman' and the imprisonment of 'Anisha Asadollahi' have been reported. Hengaw: Families of four Kurdish political prisoners continue to be uninformed about their status.