Six More Women's Rights Activists from Gilan Sent to Prison

Six civil and women's rights activists from Gilan visited Branch 5 of the Execution of Sentences in Rasht on Saturday, July 23, to serve their prison sentences. According to 'Bidar Zani', Forough Sami'nia, Jaleh Javaheri, Shiva Shahsiah, Negin Rezaei, Matin Yazdani, and Azadeh Chavoshian have been transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht. In her last Instagram post, Forough Sami'nia mentioned the beginning of her and her friends' prison sentences, stating: 'We have not forgotten our dreams and we are fighting to achieve them.' The prison sentences for Zahra and Zahra Dadras, two other convicts in the case of 11 Gilan activists, were executed on July 20. In this case, 11 civil and women's rights activists from Gilan have been sentenced to a total of over 60 years in prison. These activists have reported being tortured and physically abused during their detention. Zahra (Fatemeh) Dadras was sentenced to 9 years and 6 months in prison on charges of 'forming a group with the aim of undermining national security' and 'gathering and colluding,' of which 6 years and 1 day is enforceable. Forough Sami'nia, Sara Jahani, Yasmin Hashdari, Shiva Shahsiah, Negin Rezaei, Matin Yazdani, Azadeh Chavoshian, and Zahra Dadras were each sentenced to 6 years, 3 months, and 17 days in prison on charges of 'membership in a group' and 'gathering and colluding.' Two other defendants in this case, Jaleh Javaheri and Hooman Taheri, received one-year prison sentences each for 'propaganda against the regime.' The issuance of over 60 years of prison sentences for 11 women's rights defenders and civil activists in Gilan has faced widespread criticism from hundreds of activists and civil and human rights organizations, including the Iranian Writers' Association, the Human Rights Defenders Center, and the Iranian Cultural Teachers' Guild. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also condemned these sentences as 'unjust' and 'an attempt to intimidate and silence activists.' Labor unions in France and Denmark have called for the cancellation of the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi and her immediate release. Four protesters were arrested in Bushehr province on charges of 'slogan writing and destroying advertising banners.' The wife of Ahmadreza Jalali, a dual-national prisoner sentenced to death in Iran, stated: 'It has been 3,000 days since he was taken hostage.' Two new cases have been formed against the imprisoned protest singer; a German sponsor stated: 'The fight for the freedom of Tomaj continues.'