US State Department Protests Sentence Handed Down Against Saba Kordafshari
The US State Department has reacted to a 24-year prison sentence handed down against Saba Kordafshari, condemning it and describing it as “unjust.” Kordafshari is 20 years old, a civil activist, and one of the protesters against mandatory hijab.
Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson for the US State Department, wrote on Twitter on August 29, referring to the 24-year prison sentence for Saba Kordafshari: “Iran’s Revolutionary Court has sentenced this 20-year-old woman to 24 years in prison for protesting mandatory hijab in Iran. We condemn this unjust ruling and call on the Iranian regime to respect the universal rights of its citizens to freedom of expression.”
Saba Kordafshari has been sentenced to 24 years in prison. The sentence against this civil activist, who is currently serving time in Evin Prison, was delivered to her lawyer Hossein Taj on the fifth of Shahrivar. Tehran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Ms. Kordafshari to a total of 24 years in prison, with 15 years being enforceable.
The charges on which Saba Kordafshari’s sentence was issued include “spreading corruption and obscenity through removing hijab and walking without hijab,” “assembly and conspiracy with intent to commit crimes against national security,” and “anti-system propaganda activities.”
According to Iran Human Rights Organization, pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment—15 years in prison—will be enforceable against her for the charge of “spreading obscenity through removing hijab and walking without hijab.”
Hossein Taj wrote in a tweet on Tuesday (5th of Shahrivar) that he intends to appeal the verdict. Saba Kordafshari’s lawyer stated that he is hopeful the sentence will be overturned.
Saba Kordafshari was arrested on Saturday, the 11th of Khordad, at her father’s house and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence detention center. According to the Iran Human Rights Organization website, after 11 days of interrogation and pressure for a televised confession, she was transferred on Tuesday, the 21st of Khordad, to Qarchak Prison in Varamin, and has since been denied the right to a lawyer and legal consultation.
Iran Human Rights Organization reports that in the notification of her initial charges, reference was made to “propaganda activity through contact with Masih Alinejad and Hrana news agency.” Human rights issues regarding anonymous political prisoners, religious minorities, and women were areas of focus in Saba Kordafshari’s activities before her arrest.
Source: DW
