Additional Name(s): Saba Kurd Afshari, صبا کردافشاری

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Unspecified

Health Concerns: Ulcers, gastrorrhagia, contracted COVID-19

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: 7 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June//2019

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Appearance Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems Women’s Rights

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Immorality Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Saba Kord Afshari

Extra Bio Info:

Saba Kord Afshari was imprisoned for her women’s rights activism against compulsory religious veiling.

In June 2019, authorities arrested Afshari for protesting compulsory hijab after a video of her surfaced walking on the street without a hijab.

In the second half of 2019, a Tehran Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Afshari to 15 years in prison for “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC), seven years and six months for “assembling and colluding to act against national security” (Art. 610 IPC), and one year and six months for “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC). Afshari was expected to serve 15 years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

In late 2019, an appeals court reportedly acquitted Afshari of “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC).  Her sentence was furthermore reduced to seven years and six months in prison.

In May 2020, it was reported that Afshari’s acquittal for “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC) was overturned.  The court subsequently enforced the original 15-year sentence.

In March 2021, it was reported that Afshari’s sentence had been reduce to seven years and six months in prison.

Afshari reportedly suffers from ulcers and gastrorrhagia and has been denied adequate medical care. She has also reportedly contracted COVID-19 while imprisoned.  Afshari has also gone on hunger strike to protest the arrest of her mother, Rahele Ahmadi.

Afshari has also been subjected to attacks in prison and inhumane living conditions.

In April 2022, it was reported that the Supreme Court acquitted Afshari of “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC) and that her sentence was reduced to five years in prison after her sentence was corrected. 

In February 2023, it was reported that Afshari had been released from prison.

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