Women's Rights Activists Await Verdict After Trial In Iran Court

Twelve women's rights activists who were arrested last year for alleged involvement with planned unrest in Iran are awaiting the verdict after being tried in a regime court.

Activists including Sara Jahani, Hooman Taheri, Yasamin Hashdari were charged with offences including "anti-establishment propaganda" and "membership in an illegal group".

They faced proceedings under Judge Mehdi Rasekhi in a revolutionary court in the northern city of Rasht on Thursday

The defendants were represented by their lawyers Mustafa Nili, Ramin Safarnia, and Mohammad Ali Kamfirouzi.

Sources reported that at the conclusion of the court session, the judge announced that the trial had ended, and the activists would await the verdict.

The women were detained by security institutions of the Islamic Republic in cities including Rasht, Fooman, Anzali, and Lahijan on August 16. The Intelligence Office of Gilan Province confirmed their arrest, alleging their involvement with "foreign elements" and planning to incite unrest and sabotage on the anniversary of the 2022 uprising against regime in Gilan and Kordestan.

After spending approximately two months in custody, the activists were temporarily released from Lakan Prison in Rasht upon posting bail.

The Islamic Republic has faced criticism for its consistent detention and imprisonment of civil and political activists. The nationwide uprising against the Islamic Republic since September 2022 has seen intensified suppression of dissenting voices by the government, with activists continuing to face harassment and imprisonment.