The appeals court upheld the sentences of three women opposing compulsory hijab for more than five years in prison.

Three women who oppose the mandatory hijab and are in detention were each sentenced by the Court of Appeal to five years and six months in prison.

Amir Raisian, the lawyer for Yasman Ariani, Monireh Arabshahi, and Mojgan Keshavarz, civil activists and protesters against compulsory hijab in Iran, wrote on his Twitter page that "Branch 54 of the Court of Appeals reduced the applicable prison sentences (severe punishment) of women Yasman Ariani, Monireh Arabshahi, and Mojgan Keshavarz to 5 years and 6 months."

This is despite the fact that, according to Raisian, the total prison sentence confirmed by the Court of Appeals for Yasman Ariani and Munireh Arabshahi is 9 years and 7 months, and for Mojgan Keshavarz is 12 years and 7 months.

Previously, Judge Moghiseh, head of Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court, had sentenced Yasman Ariani, Monireh Arabshahi, and Mojgan Keshavarz to a total of 55 years and six months in prison.

The charges against these female prisoners include "gathering and colluding with the intention of acting against national security," "propaganda against the system," and "encouraging and providing the means for corruption and prostitution."

The lawyer also announced in another tweet that the verdict was issued without a court hearing and that they were protesting the trial process. He wrote that the trial "colliding with a holiday related to funerals, was not held and the verdict was issued without a hearing."

Previously, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement condemning the prison sentences of three women who oppose compulsory hijab in Iran and calling for their release.

The United States has previously condemned the sentencing of three opponents of compulsory hijab in Iran to a total of 55 years in prison.

Source: Voice of America