Extra Bio Info:

Yasaman Ariani was imprisoned for her women’s rights activism against compulsory religious veiling.

In April 2019, authorities arrested Ariani for protesting compulsory hijab after she was caught on video handing out flowers on the metro while not wearing a hijab.

In July 2019, a Tehran court sentenced Ariani to one year in prison for “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC), five years in prison for “assembling and colluding to act against national security” (Art. 610 IPC), and ten years in prison for “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC).

In February 2020, an appeals court reportedly resentenced Ariani to seven months in prison for “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC), three years and six months in prison for “assembling and colluding to act against national security” (Art. 610 IPC), and five years and six months in prison for “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC). Ariani is expected to serve five years and six months in prison as the sentences run concurrently.

In November 2020, Ariani reportedly contracted COVID-19.

In July 2021, Ariani was granted a short leave from prison. She returned to prison afterwards.

On February 15, 2023, it was reported that Ariani had been released from prison.

Ariani had been subjected to attacks by fellow inmates on multiple occasions while imprisoned.

Extra Bio Info:

Rahele Ahmadi was imprisoned for her women’s rights activism against compulsory religious veiling.

On July 10, 2019, authorities arrested Ahmadi, an activist against compulsory hijab, after she criticized the arrest and treatment of her daughter, Saba Kord Afshari, who was arrested in relation to her removal of her hijab in public and women’s rights and anti-compulsory hijab activism.

On July 14, 2019, Ahmadi was released on bail.

On December 16, 2019, Branch 26 of Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Ahmadi to four years and two months in prison for “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC) and “assembling and colluding to act against national security” (Art. 610 IPC). The court did, however, acquit her of “encouraging people to immorality or prostitution” (Art. 639 IPC).

On an unspecified date, Amadi's sentence was reduced to two years and seven months.

In February 2020, Ahmadi was taken into custody to begin serving her sentence in Evin Prison.

In March 2021, Ahmadi was granted a short medical leave.

In July 2021, Ahmadi was granted a short furlough to attend her mother’s funeral.

In November 2021, Ahmadi was summoned to court on a new charge of “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC) reportedly in relation to statements she made while in detention that were being circulated online.

In February 2022, Ahmadi was granted a short medical furlough after she contracted COVID-19 in prison.

Ahmadi was repeatedly denied adequate access to legal counsel, with her lawyer being detained for four months at the end of 2021.

Ahmadi’s health reportedly deteriorated while in prison. In December 2020, she suffered a nervous breakdown, resulting in a loss of mobility in her left leg.  She has also contracted COVID-19, suffered from various other ailments, and suffers from a low functioning thyroid.

On October 13, 2022, Ahmadi was released from prison.

Extra Bio Info:

Zeynab Jalalian is imprisoned on religiously oriented charges.

In March 2008, security officials violently arrested Jalalian reportedly in relation to her social and political activism for Kurdish women. Authorities reportedly interrogated Jalaian about her alleged involvement in the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (Party Jiani Azadi Kurdistan or PJAK). Jalalian was subjected to torture, verbal and physical abuse, and threats of blackmail and sexual violence while detained.

In December 2008, Jalalian’s trial began before Branch 1 of the Kermanshah Revolutionary Court on a range of charges including the religiously sanctioned “Moharebeh (Enmity against God)” (Art. 279-285+ IPC).

On an unspecified date, Branch 1 of the Kermanshah Revolutionary Court sentenced Jalalian to death.

In May 2009, Branch 4 of the Kermanshah Court of Appeal upheld Jalalian’s sentence.

In December 2011, the Supreme Leader granted Jalalian clemency and commuted her sentence to life imprisonment.

In April 2016, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called for Jalalian’s immediate release.

Jalalian is believed to have suffered from intestinal and kidney infections, internal bleeding, and difficulty walking.  She also suffers from an eye condition. Jalalian has been denied adequate medical care and has been forced to live in inhumane living conditions.