Siblings and mother of slain protester detained, poet arrested
Shirin Najafi, sister of slain protester Hadis Najafi, receives a 25-year sentence.
In a disturbing development, Shirin Najafi, sister of slain protester Hadis Najafi, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for seeking justice for her sister. Tens of thousands of protesters participated in the 40-day memorial Hadis Najafi, and dozens of participants were arrested for the alleged killing of a Basij member. Two of those accused and charged with Moharebeh, waging war on God, have been executed.
In a post on social media, Shirin Najafi proclaimed her innocence, stating, “I have not done anything illegal, but they have given me 25 years. If anything happens, you are responsible. I am supposed to go to jail because they killed my sister.”
Siblings and mother of a slain protester arrested
Meanwhile, security forces have arrested four members of slain protester Milad Saeedianju’s family who were celebrating his birthday beside his grave in Izeh on Wednesday, March 2, 2023. Those arrested were Narjes Saeedianju, Zahra Saeedianju, Omid Saeedianju, and Tuba Bigdeli, Milad’s mother.
Government forces in Rasht detain a poet
Lastly, Sara Mottaghi, a 26-year-old poet and bookseller, was arrested by agents of the Prosecutor’s Office of Rasht on February 28, 2023. The reason for her arrest was allegedly writing a post on social media about the need to celebrate a traditional Old Persia ritual. She has been transferred to the Lakan Prison of Rasht.
The situation in Iran remains highly volatile, with these recent developments only adding to the growing concern for the safety and well-being of its citizens.
