Second Girl of Enghelab Street: Despite Prison Sentence, I Still Oppose Mandatory Hijab

Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, the prosecutor of Tehran, announced a few days ago that one of the girls protesting against the mandatory hijab has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for 'encouraging people to corruption through uncovering her hijab.' The Tehran prosecutor criticized the judge's decision to suspend 21 months of this sentence for five years, stating that 'the Tehran prosecutor's office is pursuing the violation of this ruling.' Narges Hosseini was the second girl to hang her headscarf on a stick in protest against the mandatory hijab on Enghelab Street. After that, she was detained for 20 days and is now free on a bail of 60 million tomans. In an interview with Radio Farda, she confirms that the 24-month prison sentence announced by the prosecutor has been issued against her. According to the court ruling, 21 months of this prison term is suspended, and only three months will be enforced. The judge referenced Article 131 of the Islamic Penal Code, which states that 'in crimes resulting in punishment, if a single act has multiple criminal titles, the perpetrator is sentenced to the harsher punishment.' Additionally, another part of the ruling refers to Article 639 of the Islamic Penal Code, which states: 'Individuals below are sentenced to imprisonment from one to ten years, and in the case of clause (a), in addition to the prescribed punishment, the relevant place will be temporarily closed by court order: (a) anyone who establishes or manages a center of corruption or prostitution; (b) anyone who encourages people to corruption or prostitution or provides the means for it.' In this interview, Narges Hosseini states that despite her conviction, she has always believed in her action against the mandatory hijab and now believes even more strongly in it. In response to questions about whether she received the ruling personally, she stated that it was not delivered to her directly but to her lawyers, Nasrin Sotoudeh and Mr. Kikhavari. She confirmed that the ruling was indeed for 24 months of prison. Regarding the legal basis for her conviction, she mentioned Article 131 of the Islamic Penal Code and Article 639, which led to her being sentenced to 24 months, with three months enforced and 21 months suspended for five years, provided she does not commit intentional crimes. She expressed surprise at the severity of the ruling, as she had expected a lesser punishment, such as a fine, prior to her trial. During the trial, she was charged with 'encouraging people to corruption through uncovering her hijab,' 'displaying a forbidden act,' and 'appearing in public with an improper hijab.' The judge emphasized that while mandatory hijab is indeed law, she must comply with it, even if it means wearing a lace scarf. Hosseini defended herself by stating that she does not accept the imposed interpretation of hijab and views her actions as a social responsibility. She was detained for 20 days in Qarchak prison and was released on a bail of 60 million tomans after her initial bail of 500 million tomans was reduced. She noted that the support she received from both acquaintances and strangers during her time of freedom has been overwhelming and has strengthened her resolve regarding her actions.