Zhina Modarres-Gorji, journalist and women's rights activist, sentenced to 21 years in prison

The Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj sentenced Zhina Modarres-Gorji, a journalist and women's rights activist, to a total of 21 years in prison on charges of 'forming an illegal group with the aim of overthrowing the regime,' 'collaborating with hostile groups and governments,' and 'propaganda against the regime.' According to human rights sources, including the Kurdpa website and the Human Rights Defenders Association, based on the 'merger and aggregation of sentences' law, 10 years of this sentence will be enforceable, and Zhina Modarres-Gorji will be exiled to Hamadan prison to serve her sentence. The establishment of the Zhivano Association with a feminist ideology, participation in peaceful gatherings, attending international conferences and workshops, and activities in cyberspace are among the cases the court cited as evidence against her. Ms. Modarres-Gorji had previously faced pressure due to her civil activities. The 'Zhira' bookstore, managed by her, was shut down in late Farvardin this year for not adhering to the mandatory hijab laws imposed by the government. In response to this action, Zhina Modarres-Gorji criticized the pressures on businesses and the economy in difficult conditions. Zhina Modarres-Gorji was arrested on September 21, 2022, during the early days of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement and was released on bail after 40 days. She was then arrested for the second time on April 21, 2023, and released 84 days later on a bail of 5 billion tomans. The last court session regarding her charges was held on April 21, 2024. The heavy prison sentence for this young women's rights activist comes at a time when protests against mandatory hijab and violations of women's rights in Iran continue, alongside crackdowns on government critics and advocates for voluntary hijab.