Source: RFE/RL’s RadioFarda
The Islamic Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj, western Iran, has sentenced journalist Zina Modares Gorji to a combined 21 years in prison for her advocacy of women’s rights.
The Kurdish human rights portal Kurdpa reported that Judge Mohammad Karami, handed down a split verdict in the case, with Gorji receiving 10 years for “forming an illegal group aimed at overthrowing the regime” and another 10 years for “collaborating with hostile groups and governments.” Additionally, she was given one year for “propaganda against the regime.”
Under Iranian law, the longest sentence in cases where multiple punishments are handed down is enforced, meaning she will spend 10 years in prison. However, the court also enforced a 10-year exile period after that.
Her supporters said the sentencing was officially communicated on May 23 and that her legal team has filed an appeal. Her lawyers have requested a retrial and are challenging what they view as an overly harsh and politically motivated verdict aimed at intimidating voices within the country.
The exile portion of the punishment, analysts said, shows how far Iranian authorities are going to stifle dissent in the wake of nationwide unrest over the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody for an alleged Islamic head scarf, or hijab, violation in September 2022.
Gorji was first detained during Amini-inspired protests.
After an initial 40-day detention period for “assembly and collusion against the system,” Gorji was temporarily released on a bail.
She was rearrested in April 2023 and spent about a month in solitary confinement before being transferred to a general prison ward.
Last month Gorji said on Instagram that her bookstore in Sanandaj was forcibly closed for several days by local authorities for alleged noncompliance with mandatory hijab laws.
