The trial of Wrisha Moradi, a member of the East Kurdistan Free Women Society (KJAR), scheduled for 9 April at Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, has been postponed due to the absence of Judge Amouzad, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned.
The same branch of the court, presided over by Judge Salavati, had previously notified Moradi’s lawyers of the scheduled session.
However, following Moradi’s transfer from the women’s section of Evin prison to the court and the presence of her legal representatives, Judge Salavati announced the postponement, citing the absence of the second judge, Amouzad.
Moradi was previously charged by Branch Five of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office with “armed insurrection” (baghi), with the prosecution seeking the application of Articles 288 and 499 of the Islamic Penal Code.
According to Article 288 of the Islamic Penal Code, “If members of a rebellious group are arrested before engaging in armed conflict, and if there is an organization and central leadership, they shall be sentenced to third-degree imprisonment, or if the organization and central leadership are disbanded, they will be sentenced to fifth-degree imprisonment.”
Additionally, according to Article 499 of the Islamic Penal Code, “Anyone who joins one of the groups or organisations or branches of organisations that intend to undermine national security shall be sentenced to imprisonment for three months to five years, unless it is proven that they were unaware of its objectives.”
The political prisoner had been denied access to legal representation from the time of her arrest until the indictment was issued and the case referred to the revolutionary court.
Moradi was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence on 1 August 2023 at the entrance to Sanandaj upon her return from Kermanshah, Kermanshah Province, where she had been involved in political and organisational activities.
She spent the first 13 days of her detention in the detention centre of this security institution in Sanandaj, and afterwards was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran.
During this time, she was subjected to pressure and threat for forced confessions, and on 26 December 2023, after enduring five months of solitary confinement, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.
Prior to her involvement in KJAR, Moradi had been active in Rojava (Kurdistan of Syria) in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) and was wounded in one of the IS attacks on Kobani.
On 8 November 2023, the Bitawan website, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Intelligence, reported that Moradi and two others had been arrested by its forces.
While the website did not specify the date of their arrest, it described them as members of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK).
On 26 September 2023, KJAR issued a statement saying that Moradi was in the region to “carry out political activities and organise women” in Kurdistan.
KJAR called on international human rights organisations to “take the necessary measures regarding the enforced disappearance” of its member.
