The political prisoner in exile, Maryam Akbari-Monfared, was beaten by a prison official in Semnan Prison on Wednesday, August 24, 2022.
An informed source said that Maryam, a political prisoner in exile, had received a visit from her family. During the visit, a man named Hosseinipour, Chief of the Prison’s Visitation Hall, attacked Ms. Akbari-Monfared.
Kordi, the deputy Warden of Semnan Prison, disrespectfully rejected visitation for Maryam’s two daughters. He refused them the right to visit their mother, who was being held captive in exile, as they were not wearing a Chador (a cloak worn by women to cover the head and body, only leaving the face free.) Kordi also intended to return political prisoner Maryam Akbari to her ward.
When the political prisoner in exile, Maryam Akbari, objected to her daughters having to wear the chador and resisted returning to her ward, Hosseinipour grabbed her by the throat and beat her.
Finally, given Maryam’s strong resistance to being returned to her ward, Kurdi got involved in the matter. He allowed Maryam, the political prisoner in exile, to have a visit with her two daughters.
Political prisoner in exile Maryam Akbari Monfared faces new charges
The political prisoner in exile, Maryam Akbari Monfared, faces new charges the Ministry of Intelligence filed against her. She has declined to appear before the court to review the case.
Maryam Akbari Monfared is presently imprisoned in the women’s ward of the Prison of Semnan. She was banished to this prison on March 10, 2021.
Ms. Akbari’s summoning to the Court of Semnan took place in two phases.
An informed source said the Ministry of Intelligence recently filed a new case against Maryam Akbari Monfared. On Saturday, July 16, 2022, she was told to appear before a court in Semnan to investigate the charge of “propaganda against the state.”
Ms. Akbari Monfared refused to appear before the court because her lawyer had not received the subpoena.
A second notice was issued for Ms. Akbari to appear before the court on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. Her lawyer, Mr. Taj, objected to the subpoena and canceled the court hearing because the legal time interval between issuing the notice and the court date had not been observed.
The Judicial authorities told Maryam Akbari Monfared that she had to file her request for a lawyer again because she failed to appear in court.
Maryam Akbari refused to sign any papers in protest.
Maryam Akbari Monfared, her lawyer, and her family are unaware of the reason for the new charge.
Political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared faces various pressures. In July 2022, the Evin Prison Prosecutor’s Office rejected her request to be transferred from Semnan Prison to Evin Prison in Tehran.
Maryam Akbari Monfared is held in Semnan Prison, violating the principle of separation of crimes.
On June 6, 2022, security forces at Semnan Prison made threats against her after she expressed solidarity with widespread protests against rising prices in various cities in May 2022. They threatened her by saying, “If she makes friends or talks with other prisoners, they will file a political case against her.”
The Women’s Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran warns against the physical condition of political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared. It holds the authorities of Semnan Prison accountable for her health.
The NCRI Women’s Committee also condemns the clerical regime’s unjust verdicts. It calls on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and all advocates of women’s rights to not remain silent vis-à-vis the criminal measures of the Iranian Judiciary and take immediate action to save the lives of political prisoners, especially women, and secure their release.
