Some of the detainees from International Women's Day have been charged with 'actions against national security'

According to reports from Iran, some of the detainees from the gathering on March 8, in Tehran, have told their relatives that they have been charged with 'actions against national security.' The detainees have also stated that they do not have adequate access to basic needs. The Telegram channel 'Call for March 8 Gathering' reports that Zahra Asadpour and Banafsha Jamali, two of the detainees, have told their families that despite the setting of bail, they remain in custody. Ms. Asadpour and Ms. Jamali said they initially faced charges of 'actions against national security through participation in an illegal gathering.' The detainees have reported that they are being held in separate cells and have protested against 'poor detention conditions including lack of access to water and hygiene supplies.' Reports indicate that besides Ms. Asadpour and Ms. Jamali, Shahla Entesari, another women's rights activist, Soudeh Rakhsh, Moloud Hajizadeh, and Aina Qotbi, journalists in Iran, have also been detained. Jawad Taleli and Ali Salim, journalists, are among the men who were arrested during the March 8 gathering. In recent hours, images and names of individuals who are said to still be in custody have been shared on social media. The gathering on March 8 was supposed to take place in front of the Ministry of Labor, but security forces gathered in front of the ministry building that morning and did not allow the gathering to take place. Nevertheless, some activists and other citizens went to the gathering. According to initial reports, more than 80 citizens were detained. Shortly thereafter, nearly 60 of the detainees were released. It is reported that at least 19 women and men are still in custody. Reports from Iran and what has been shared on social media indicate that the cases of those still detained have been transferred to the Evin Prosecutor's Office. It is said that the detained women have been transferred to Qarchak Varamin and the men to Fashafouyeh in Hasanabad, Tehran Province. Iranian judicial authorities have not yet reacted to the published reports. Concurrently, the Tehran prosecutor has also opened a case against the mayor of the capital and several individuals involved in the Women's Day event at Milad Tower, which faced protests from conservatives due to several young girls dancing during the event.