Soheila Hijab, a political prisoner who was transferred to Ward 8 of Qarchak Prison last month after being kept in quarantine for several months, is facing new charges following the publication of a letter in support of the November protests in Iran last year.
“On November 16th, this political prisoner was transferred to Branch 2 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office, headed by Investigator Mahmoud Haji Moradi, and the notice of her charges was served on her. She has been charged with “propaganda against the state” and “disturbing the public opinion” for the publication of a letter in support of the November protests last year” per the indictment filed on November 17th.”, a source familiar with the case of this political prisoner told the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN).
The source added that, after returning from the court, Ms Hijab was beaten by “three agents, Akrami, Bahri and Nasri, and two prisoners accused of premeditated murder.
Soheila Hijab had previously been on hunger strike for more than a month on July 28 demanding her transfer from Qarchak Prison to Evin Prison as well as protesting against the pressure from security agencies on her family. Prison Intelligence agents have confiscated the prisoner’s phone card and they do not let her to contact her family.
Soheila Hijab was arrested by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence unit in June last year and later transferred to a safe house before she was taken back to the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison. She was finally released on a 3 billion toman bail after 8 months.
She was sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison on March 18, 2020, on charges of “propaganda against the state,” “gathering and collusion,” “disturbing public opinion with intent to cause unrest,” and “forming an illegal group.” According to the law of Aggregation of Crimes, 5 years of the sentences will be enforceable.
She was arrested by security forces on June 23 after being summoned to Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals and transferred to Qarchak Prison.
