Municipal authorities in Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province, today sealed off a bookstore called Zhira, citing “non-compliance with Islamic hijab”, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned.
The bookstore, run by Zhina Modares Gorji, a former political prisoner and women’s rights activist, was closed under Articles 27 and 28 of the Guild Regulation Law.
On 15 April, the authorities notified Modares Gorji of the impending closure, giving her 24 hours’ notice.
Since 15 April, the police in charge of supervising public facilities and locations have sealed off the premises, along with over 20 other commercial establishments in Sanandaj, all closed for “administrative offenses (non-compliance with Islamic hijab)”.
Modares Gorji, who is a well-known activist, was arrested twice by security forces during the anti-government uprising of Women, Life, Freedom and is currently out on bail.
