Extra Bio Info:

Shakila Monfared is imprisoned for blasphemy.

In August 2020, security forces arrested Monfared as she was leaving home, reportedly in relation to her social media activism.

In September 2020, Monfared was released on bail.

In January 2021, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran reportedly convicted Monfared for “insulting Islamic sanctities” (Art. 513 IPC) and "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). There are conflicting reports of how long she was sentenced with Human Rights Activists News Agency reporting six years and four months in prison and United for Iran reporting five years in prison.

In March 2021, it was reported that an appeals court gave Monfared a new sentence of 50 months in prison, but it is unclear how the sentence was divided among the charges, influencing the actual time she is required to be imprisoned.

On an unspecified date believed to be in 2021, Monfared was taken into custody and sent to prison to begin her sentence. 

In June 2021, several prisoners violently beat Monfared reportedly at the instigation of the prison staff.

In August 2021, Monfared was granted a short leave of absence from prison. She returned in September 2021.

In February 2022, it was reported that Monfared was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison on new charges described as “membership in one of the anti-regime groups and spreading lies.”

In March 2022, Monfared went on hunger strike reportedly to protest the housing of political prisoners and prisoners convicted of violent crimes in the same ward.

In July 2023, Monfared underwent gallbladder surgery and went on medical leave. 

Monfared reportedly suffers from gastrointestinal disease and severe stomach pain, for which she has been denied adequate medical care.

Monfared is serving her sentence in Qarchak Prison.

Extra Bio Info:

Parizad Hamidi Shafagh is imprisoned on blasphemy-related charges.

In February 2020, intelligence agents arrested Shafagh reportedly in relation to her social media activities.

In June 2020, a Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Shafagh to 18 years and six months in prison for “insulting Islamic sanctities” (Art. 513 IPC), “membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security” (Art. 499 IPC), and “inciting violence.” Her sentence was reduced to five years, seven months, and 15 days.

Shafagh is serving her sentence in Qarchak Prison.

Extra Bio Info:

Noushin Jafari was imprisoned for blasphemy.

In August 2019, authorities arrested Jafari, a photojournalist and culture reporter, after accusing her of running a Twitter account that mocked historical religious figures and insulted Islam. She was also accused of making posts opposing the government.

In October 2019, Jafari was released on bail.

In mid-February 2021, an appeals court sentenced Jafari to four years in prison for “insulting Islamic sanctities” (Art. 513 IPC) and one year for “propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). Jafari is expected to serve four years in prison as the sentences run concurrently. It is unclear if Jafari was sentenced by a previous court.

Following her sentencing in February 2021, Jafari was taken into custody to begin serving her sentence. She was sent to Qarchak Prison.

On February 10, 2023, Jafari was reportedly released from prison after receiving amnesty.