Zhina Modarres-Gorji, Women's Rights Activist, Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison

The Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj has sentenced Zhina Modarres-Gorji, a journalist and women's rights activist, to 21 years in prison, of which 10 years are enforceable. The human rights website Kurdpa reported that the first branch of the Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj, presided over by Judge Mohammad Karami, issued 10 years of the sentence against Ms. Gorji for 'forming an illegal group with the aim of overthrowing the regime' and another 10 years for 'collaborating with hostile groups and states,' in addition to a one-year prison sentence for 'propaganda against the regime.' The court has also exiled this women's rights activist to Hamadan prison to serve her sentence. This journalist from Sanandaj had previously reported on Instagram that her bookstore was shut down by the Sanandaj authorities due to non-compliance with compulsory hijab laws from April 17 to May 5. Ms. Gorji was among the first women's rights activists arrested during the protests following the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini while in custody of the morality police. After 40 days of detention on charges of 'gathering and colluding against the regime,' she was temporarily released on a bail of 100 million tomans. Zhina Modarres-Gorji was arrested again on April 10, 2023, at her workplace, the 'Zhira' bookstore, by security forces and was transferred to the general ward from solitary confinement at the Sanandaj Correction and Rehabilitation Center about a month later. This women's rights activist was ultimately released on July 3, 2022, after 84 days of temporary detention upon posting a bail of 5 billion tomans. Finally, after the court proceedings, the 21-year prison sentence was communicated to her on May 24, 2024. Ms. Modarres-Gorji's lawyers have filed a request for a review of this heavy sentence in the provincial appeals court.