Nasrin Sotoudeh Arrested by Security Forces in Karaj
On Tuesday, the 25th of Aban, Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested by security forces in Karaj while attending a commemoration ceremony marking the second anniversary of the death of Ibrahim Kettabdar, one of the victims of the November 2019 protests.
According to Hrana News Agency, the news organ of the Human Rights Activists in Iran collective, on Tuesday, the 25th of Aban 1400, Nasrin Sotoudeh, a civil activist, was arrested by security forces in Karaj.
Ms. Sotoudeh’s arrest took place during a commemoration ceremony for victims of the November 2019 protests at the grave of Ibrahim Kettabdar in Karaj. The ceremony, which was attended by Nasrin Sotoudeh and several other civil activists and families of the deceased, turned violent following intervention by security forces.
Nasrin Sotoudeh, spokesperson for the Center for Defenders of Human Rights, was sentenced in June of this year by Branch 1177 of the Criminal Court of the Qods Judicial Complex in Tehran on charges of “propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic of Iran through the publication of statements (the anti-death penalty statement), sit-in at the prison office, disobedience to prison authorities and management (to end the protest sit-in), breaking windows, slander and assault” to 30 months imprisonment, 80 lashes, and payment of two monetary penalties.
Hrana had previously reported in Esfand 99 about the summons of this civil activist to Evin Prosecutor’s Office. In an open letter regarding this matter, the human rights activist stated that “she did not participate in any stage of this proceeding and did not comply with the verdict issued by the judicial authorities in this case and will certainly disobey.”
Ms. Sotoudeh, who had been imprisoned since the 15th of Ordibehesht 1394, was sentenced to 16 years in prison on three charges. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code and considering the “most severe punishment,” Nasrin Sotoudeh was to serve 10 years in prison. On the 30th of Azar 98, along with 7 other political prisoners in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, she had announced through a letter her participation in a several-day sit-in in solidarity with the families affected by the nationwide November protests on the occasion of the fortieth day. Following this sit-in, Evin Prison authorities threatened Ms. Sotoudeh and other protesting prisoners with transfer to another prison, and ultimately on Tuesday, the 3rd of Dey 98, she was transferred from Evin Prison to Zanjan Prison. She had also submitted a letter last Dey describing the incidents and conduct of the Evin Prison director and security forces during her transfer.
Nasrin Sotoudeh was ultimately released from Zanjan Prison on the 16th of Mehr 99 using the law on reduction of imprisonment sentences. Approximately 5 months after her release, she remains deprived of the right to hold a passport and leave the country. Ms. Sotoudeh’s ban from leaving the country occurs despite the fact that her previous conviction did not include a supplementary punishment of travel ban.
Source: Hrana
