Zahra Tavakoli Summoned from Evin Prison to Security Prosecutor's Office; Charges Based on Instagram Content

Alireza Khushvakt, the husband of Zahra Tavakoli, announced in a tweet that this political activist was summoned from the women's section of Evin Prison to "Branch 3 of the Shahid Mohaddes Security Prosecutor's Office". He wrote that she was informed of the charge of "propaganda against the regime" based on "the contents of her Instagram page" and that her "final defense" was taken. Zahra Tavakoli and Hedi (Zahra) Tavakoli, former members of the National Unity Party, were arrested on September 22 during the initial days of nationwide protests and were released on bail on December 17 after about three months. Initially, it was announced that the two sisters and political activists had been granted "amnesty" and their case was "closed". However, on June 1, following a "telephone summons" to the prosecutor's office, they were arrested and transferred to Evin Prison. Shortly after, the state-affiliated news agency "Mizan" announced that the "connection" of the two with "hostile and subversive groups" was the reason for their not being granted "amnesty" and denied any issuance of "suspension of prosecution" or its cancellation. Previously, the Revolutionary Court had sentenced Zahra Tavakoli and Hedi (Zahra) Tavakoli, former members of the National Unity Party, to one year of imprisonment for the charges of "gathering and collusion against national security" and "propaganda against the regime". Earlier, Reza Moieni described the arrest of 100 journalists in recent months as unprecedented in an interview with the Persian section of Voice of America. The judiciary did not consider the prison sentence of the Tavakoli sisters to be "subject to amnesty". The execution of the prison sentence of the Tavakoli sisters occurred despite their announced amnesty. A Reuters report on the situation of journalists in Iran amid the protests listed 40 detained journalists. Protests have intensified in over 35 cities, with a surge in the arrest of activists and journalists.