Extra Bio Info:

Sepideh Rashnu was detained for resisting state-imposed religious dress.

On July 16, 2022, authorities arrested Rashnu following an altercation on a bus between a woman, who was enforcing the state's policy of mandatory religious head coverings in public, and Rashnu, who was believed to have not been wearing a head covering "properly." Rashnu was reportedly assaulted during the altercation.

Later in July 2022, Rashnu was reportedly forced to confess on state TV. Rashnu was charged with “assembly and collusion against national security through contacts with individuals abroad,” “propaganda against the Islamic Republic” and “encouraging (moral) corruption and prostitution.”

Rashnu's health reportedly deteriorated during her detention. Rashnu was reportedly taken to a hospital for internal bleeding, shortly before her televised confession.  Rashnu was also reportedly subjected to solitary confinement. 

On August 30, 2022, Rashnu was released on bail.

In December 2022, it was reported that Rashnu was given five years of suspended imprisonment for "‘assembly and collusion against national security,’ ‘propaganda against the regime,’ and ‘not wearing hijab in public.’"

In May 2023, Rashnu was arraigned on charges of "provoking promiscuity and engaging in propaganda against the regime" after sharing photos of herself without a headscarf online. Her arraignment occurred at Evin courthouse. Following her arraignment, Rashnu was held briefly in Ward 209 of Evin prison before being released on bail. Rashnu is prohibited from leaving Tehran.

In October 2023, a court reportedly sentenced Rashnu to six months in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and “incitement to immorality and indecency.”

In December 2023, it was reported that a court in Tehran had sentenced Rashnu to four months in prison for "publishing obscene images" on the internet. According to her lawyer, Rashnu now faces three years and 11 months in prison after this most recent sentence was combined with a three-years-and-seven-months suspended prison sentence. The suspended sentence, the lawyer says, was activated after new, additional criminal proceedings were brought against Rashnu.

Extra Bio Info:

Melika Qaragozlu was detained in relation to protesting religious freedom conditions.

On July 13, 2022, authorities arrested Qaragozlu, a student activist, reportedly after she protested the mandatory religious head covering law and posted a video of herself not wearing a hijab.

On August 24, 2022, Qaragozlu was released on bail.

In September 2022, it was reported that Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Qaragozlu to three years and eight months in prison for "assembling and colluding to act against national security"(Art. 610 IPC) and eight months in prison for "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). Qaragozlu is expected to serve three years and eight months in prison as the sentences run concurrently.

On October 1, 2022, authorities arrested Qaragozlu again. It is unclear if this most recent arrest was tied to her prison sentence or in relation to nationwide anti-hijab protests.

On October 12, 2022, Qaragozlu's lawyer reported that Qaragozlu had been denied her medication and a check-up with a specialized doctor.

On November 16, 2022, Qaragozlu was transferred from Qarchak Prison to Amin Abad psychiatric hospital.

On December 4, 2022, Qaragozlu's lawyer reported that unidentified individuals attempted to tie Qaragozlu to her hospital bed and inject her with with an unidentified substance. Qaragozlu reportedly went on hunger strike in protest of the treatment.

On December 20, 2022, Qaragozlu was reportedly released from prison after her sentence was suspended.

Extra Bio Info:

Shayan Senai was detained for his religious belief and activity.

On July 13, 2022, authorities arrested Senai, his mother, and his brother in Bojnurd, North Khorasan province, reportedly in relation to their being Baha'i.

On August 4, 2022, Senai was released on bail.

Related Cases: Sholeh Shahidi, Faran Senai