Kurdistan Human Rights Network

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...

The trial of lawyer Golaleh Vatandoust and journalist Zhina Modares Gorji has taken place over the past two days at Branch One of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province. Yesterday, Vatandoust appeared before Judge Saeidi on charges of "propaganda against the state on cyberspace", "formation, management, or membership of a group or organisation with the intent to disrupt national security", and "membership in...

Prominent women’s rights activist and journalist Zhina Modares Gorji was today temporarily released from the Juvenile Detention Centre of Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, after 84 days of detention on a hefty bail of 50 billion Iranian rials, nearly 100,000 USD. During his detention, he was transferred to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office in Sanandaj several times and was charged with "collaborating with a hostile state",...

Prominent women's rights activist and journalist Zhina Modares Gorji, who has been detained since 10 April, has been charged with "collaborating with a hostile state". On 21 June, Gorji was transferred from the Juvenile Detention Centre in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office, where she was charged with the new offence, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned. She had previously...

The temporary detention of prominent women's rights activist and journalist Zhina Modares Gorji was extended for another 10 days on 14 June. Modares Gorji was arrested for the second time on 10 April in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, during the recent anti-government protests sparked by the state murder of Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini. On 9 May, the activist was transferred to the general ward of the...

The temporary detention of the prominent women's rights activist and journalist Zhina Modares Gorji was extended for another month last week. Modares Gorji was arrested for the second time more than a month ago in Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, during the recent uprising following the government's murder of Zhina Mahsa Amini. On 9 May, the activist was transferred to the general ward of the Juvenile Detention Centre...

Prominent women’s rights activist and journalist Zhina Modares Gorji was transferred to the general ward of the Juvenile Detention Centre of Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, on 9 May, after spending a month in solitary confinement. The activist's family visited her the same day after she was transferred to the general ward. Gorji's temporary detention has been extended until 12 May, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has...

Prominent journalist and women's rights activist Zhina Modares Gorji was re-arrested on 10 April in Sanandaj, north-western Iran. The activist was taken to the women's prison of the city's Juvenile Detention Centre, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned. This is the second time in recent months that Modares Gorji has been arrested. In recent days, she was summoned several times by the Islamic Revolutionary Court...

Journalist and women's rights activist Zhina Modares Gorji was arraigned last week by the Branch One of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj, Kurdistan province, and the investigating judge increased her bail for temporary release to 1 billion Tomans – nearly 20,000 USD. Modares Gorji was previously accused of "propaganda against the state", but the charges brought against her have been changed into "acting against...