Shakila Monfared, Political Prisoner, Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison

Shakila Monfared's lawyer, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, announced that his client has been sentenced to seven years and seven months in prison and 10 lashes in a case opened during her imprisonment. Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani, Ms. Monfared's lawyer, told the 'Emtedad' website on Sunday, September 2, that this case was opened following a complaint by Masoumeh Shaghaghi, Deputy Prosecutor and Assistant Prosecutor of Evin Court. According to this report, six years and seven months of this sentence were issued for the charge of 'destruction of public property,' related to breaking a glass table at the Evin District 8 court. For the charge of 'disturbing public order and tranquility,' one year in prison and 10 lashes were also issued. In July of this year, human rights sources reported that Shakila Monfared was violently arrested and returned to Evin Prison when she went to renew her five-day medical leave at the District 8 court in Tehran. After her return to prison, this political prisoner went on a hunger strike in protest against the harassment and multiple cases opened against her during her imprisonment. Shakila Monfared was arrested in 2020 and subsequently sentenced to four years and two months in prison for 'propaganda against the regime' and 'insulting Islamic sanctities.' During her imprisonment, two other cases were opened against her, adding a total of three years and eight months to her sentence. The severe government crackdown and the risk of protests becoming 'underground' are highlighted by the accounts of doctors and eyewitnesses regarding the injured from protests.