Fatemeh Sepehri

Extra Bio Info:

Fatemeh Sepehri is imprisoned for criticizing state-imposed religious policies. 

On September 21, 2022, security forces arrested Sepehri following the outbreak of nationwide protests against the death of Mahsa Amini and mandatory religious veiling. Sepehri was an outspoken critic of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other government policies, including the mandatory hijab law.

In January 2023, a court reportedly sentenced Sepehri to one year in prison and fined her 20 million tomans for “spreading falsehood, disturbing public opinions through social media activities and presence in media outside Iran.”

In February 2023, it was reported that Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad had sentenced Sepehri to 18 years in prison on a range of charges including, “propaganda against the regime," "collaboration with hostile foreign governments,” "insulting the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei," and “assembly and collusion against national security."

In March 2023, it was reported that an appeals court upheld her sentenced. Sepehri is expected to serve ten years in prison as her sentenced run concurrently.

On September 27, 2023, Sepehri was reportedly hospitalized due to her worsening health.

On October 18, 2023, Sepehri was taken back to prison to continue serving her sentence after giving her a reported week of medical leave. She had reportedly undergone heart surgery within the prior month.

On October 26, 2023, it was reported that Sepehri was hospitalized again.

Sepehri has reportedly been denied adequate medical care while in prison. Sepehri suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, and other issues.