More than ever, the COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the lives of women political prisoners.
The following describes the status of several women political prisoners, new prison sentences, and arrests in recent days:
Political prisoner Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee
Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee is being held in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, where her life is in danger.
Golrokh, a political prisoner, is being held in a ward with common criminals, in violation of Iran’s regulations on the separation of inmates. Moreover, according to credible reports, at least 100 women in the ward have been infected with the Coronavirus.
After being released from prison, Golrokh was re-sentenced, this time to three years and seven months. In Qarchak Prison since November 9, 2019, she has been denied leave.
Prison officials yet to take any action to protect prisoners from Covid-19. Qarchak Prison processes new inmates, yet fails to implement specific Covid-19 protocols, thus endangering even more lives.
Other political prisoners detained during the November uprising who are also in Qarchak Prison include Nazanin Tusi, Gita Horr, Mojgan Eskandari, Samira Hadian, Maryam Alishahi, and Raha Ahmadi.
New prison sentences for women civil activists
In another form of pressure on civil activists, the regime is issuing new sentences in the middle of the Coronavirus crisis.
The Revolutionary Court of Tehran held an in-absentia hearing on May 13, 2020, against Jila Makvandi.
Arrested in Tehran on November 12, 2019, the civil activist was sentenced to six years in prison.
Jila Makvandi wrote, “I have been sentenced, in absentia, to six years – just as the IRGC intelligence interrogator threatened during the interrogation!”
In August 2018, Ministry of Intelligence agents ransacked her home and subjected her to pressure for protesting the compulsory hijab.
An arrest warrant for a translator and researcher
Nowshahr Judgment Enforcement Branch has issued an arrest warrant for Mojgan Kavousi, a translator and researcher. Mojgan is among the detainees of the November 2019 uprising.
Earlier, Mojgan Kavousi‘s sentence was increased to six years and four months in prison during the appeals process.
The issuance of warrants for convicts can make it especially difficult for them to apply for parole or request leave.
