Vrisheh Moradi, Kurdish Political Prisoner, Sentenced to Death

Human rights sources have reported that Vrisheh Moradi, a Kurdish political prisoner, has been sentenced to death on charges of "Baghi" (rebellion). The Kurdistan Human Rights Network announced on Sunday evening, November 20, that this sentence was issued by Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati. According to reports, Ms. Moradi was held in solitary confinement and tortured during her detention, and she and her lawyers were not allowed to defend themselves during court sessions. In her initial indictment, a prison sentence was requested, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years, but Judge Salavati issued a death sentence instead. The Kurdistan Human Rights Network also reported that Vrisheh Moradi has been deprived of family visitation rights since May 17 of this year. A month ago, human rights media reported that Ms. Moradi went on a hunger strike in protest of the uncertainty surrounding her case, coinciding with the World Day Against the Death Penalty. Ms. Moradi was arrested in August 2023 in the suburbs of Sanandaj and was charged with "Baghi" by the Tehran Revolutionary Court in February of the same year. This charge was brought against the Kurdish activist due to her membership in the "Eastern Kurdistan Women's Society," known as "Kajar." Her first court session was held on June 17 of this year in Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, concerning charges including Baghi and membership in one of the opposing opposition groups. Her second court session was finally held on October 6 after months of delays, and she has since been left in a state of uncertainty. Under the laws of the Islamic Republic, the charge of "Baghi" is defined as "armed uprising against the regime" and can result in a death sentence for the accused. Last month, UN human rights experts warned about the significant increase in executions in Iran and called for an immediate halt to these sentences.