Vorisheh Moradi: ISIS Beheads, Islamic Republic Hangs

Vorisheh Moradi, a member of the Free Women of Eastern Kurdistan Society, who has been accused of 'rebellion', protested against the death sentences issued for Sharifeh Mohammadi and Pakhshan Azizi in a letter stating, 'ISIS beheads, the Islamic Republic hangs.' In this letter, Moradi emphasized that she refrained from attending her second court session, scheduled for 'today, August 5', at Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Given her refusal to attend the court, this political prisoner in the women's ward of Evin Prison wrote in a defense statement provided to 'Bidar Zani': 'The unjust death sentences for women activists within less than a month are an acknowledgment of the Islamic Republic's political ineffectiveness and helplessness.' Moradi stressed that the pretense of the new government's power, instilling fear, and escalating repression on the eve of the 'Revolution of Women, Life, Freedom' is nothing but an illusion. This political activist also referred to her own sentence, stating: 'I have been accused of 'rebellion' for being a woman, being Kurdish, and seeking a free life.' The letter noted that her second court session in Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court, presided over by Abolqasem Salavati, is to be held today, August 5, but this political activist will not attend the court in protest against the death sentences for Sharifeh Mohammadi and Pakhshan Azizi, declaring that 'I do not recognize such a court that does not issue just rulings.' This political prisoner, referring to her previous defenses provided under difficult interrogation conditions, emphasized: 'However, this time, this letter is my defense addressed to the ever-alert, aware, and freedom-seeking people and society. I ask them to judge me and my activities according to social justice.' Vorisheh Moradi, a member of an organization called 'Free Women of Eastern Kurdistan', was arrested in August of last year and faced charges of 'rebellion' in February. Sharifeh Mohammadi, who had been a member of the 'Coordination Committee to Help Establish Labor Organizations' over a decade ago, was arrested last December, and the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Rasht sentenced her to death for 'rebellion' on July 4. Pakhshan Azizi, a civil and women's rights activist, has also been sentenced to death by the Islamic Revolutionary Court on the charge of 'rebellion'. Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued this ruling claiming her 'membership' in 'groups that have armed uprisings against the Islamic government'. This political prisoner was also sentenced to 'four years of punitive imprisonment' for the charge of 'membership in PJAK'. A statement from five labor and civil organizations against the death penalty: The inhumane sentences against Sharifeh Mohammadi and Pakhshan Azizi must be revoked. A statement from over 470 cultural, social, and political activists: Stop the execution apparatus. The French PEN Association called for the cancellation of Pakhshan Azizi's death sentence. The Human Rights Campaign in Iran: The international community should take a stand against the issuance of death sentences for political women prisoners in Iran. An informed source: Pakhshan Azizi, a condemned prisoner, has denied her charges. Human Rights Watch called for the 'immediate release' of Sharifeh Mohammadi. Support from 16 political prisoners for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist sentenced to death: The government wants to silence the voice of dissent.