Sepideh Roshno Announces Implementation of Her 3-Year and 11-Month Prison Sentence

Sepideh Roshno, a writer, poet, and civil rights activist opposing mandatory hijab, announced on her Instagram page on Thursday, February 15, that her sentence of three years and 11 months has been implemented following the consolidation of three cases against her. She stated that she would report to the Evin prison's execution office in the coming days. Roshno mentioned that she was sentenced to three years and seven months in the first case, four months in the second case, and a fine of 1.5 million tomans in the third case, with the fine imposed due to her appearance in court with her chosen attire for the second case. She added that 'as soon as the case reaches the execution office, she has been banned from leaving the country. However, the travel ban is for someone who has no intention of leaving.' Roshno was arrested in July 2022 after protesting against 'mandatory hijab' and resisting the interference of a woman known as 'Raheh Rabiei' regarding her attire, and was forced to make 'coerced confessions' in front of the Islamic Republic's state television camera. She has a history of arrests and convictions due to her activism. Roshno's name appears in the BBC's list of the 100 inspiring and influential women of 2023. Her narrative about traveling without a hijab to her hometown emphasizes that 'Women, Life, Freedom' is not just for Tehran. In her letter to Sarvnaz Ahmadi, she states that 'the women's section of Evin is the frontline of Women, Life, Freedom.' After receiving her final prison sentence, Roshno remarked that being convicted for having hair is 'utter foolishness.' The list of 100 inspiring and influential women worldwide also includes Iranian women.