November 1, 2023
Tensions in Iran have risen with the arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh, a well-known human rights lawyer. This comes in the wake of widespread anger over the death of 17-year-old Armita Garawand, who, according to activists, was badly beaten by the morality police in Tehran.
Tragic Incident Involving a Teen:
- The 17-year-old girl, Armita Garawand, passed away after being in a coma for a month. Her death was reported by Iranian state media over the weekend.
- Activists claim that she was severely hurt during an incident on the Tehran metro. They say it happened when female police officers confronted her for not wearing the required Islamic headscarf.
Official Response:
- Iranian authorities strongly deny these allegations. They say that Garawand collapsed and injured herself because of low blood pressure.
- This incident reminds many of the case of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody in September 2022 for not following the dress code. The authorities wanted to prevent a repeat of the protests that followed her death.
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Arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh:
- Nasrin Sotoudeh, a well-known human rights lawyer who has spent time in and out of prison over the past decade for her activism, was arrested at Armita Garawand’s funeral in Tehran on Sunday.
- She has been moved to a women’s prison outside Tehran called Qarchak, which has faced criticism for its harsh conditions.
- Sotoudeh began a hunger strike after her arrest and has refused food and medicine, as confirmed by her husband, Reza Khandan.
Legal Charges:
- On Monday, Sotoudeh faced prosecutors who accused her of “conspiring against national security.”
- She was told that her trial would take place in two weeks, and she would remain in custody until then.
International Concern:
- Amnesty International’s leader, Agnes Callamard, expressed sadness and anger over another young life being lost due to Iran’s strict veiling laws. She called for the release of Sotoudeh and other detainees.
- The French foreign ministry called for an investigation into the circumstances of Garawand’s death and expressed deep concern over Sotoudeh’s arrest.
- The U.S. State Department also called for the unconditional release of Sotoudeh and other unjustly detained individuals.
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Activists’ Voices:
- Another activist, Manzar Zarabi, who campaigned for justice after the 2020 Ukrainian airliner tragedy in Iran, was arrested at the same event but later released due to health concerns.
- Narges Mohammadi, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this year but still in prison in Iran, called Garawand’s death “murder” and a result of Iran’s mandatory hijab laws.
Nasrin Sotoudeh, known for her strong dedication to human rights, now faces additional legal challenges. This development adds to the international concern about Iran’s treatment of activists and its compulsory veiling laws.
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