Mina Soltani, mourning her son Shahriar Mohammadi, who lost his life during the tumultuous Women, Life, Freedom protests in Bukan, West Azerbaijan Province, has been dealt a grievous blow. Sentenced to eight months in prison and fined 10 million rials, she faces repercussions under charges of “propaganda against the state” and for being visible in public without the Islamic hijab.
This harrowing verdict was passed by Branch 101 of the Second Criminal Court, overseen by Judge Mehdi Fakhri, with her trial held on 15 February devoid of any legal defence. The judgment, delivered verbally days later, underscores the systemic challenges faced by dissenters in Iran, where the rights of individuals seem increasingly trampled.
Soltani’s relentless struggle against oppression has seen her summoned, arrested, and threatened numerous times by state security forces over the past two years. In a chilling incident on 11 September 2024, she was seized from her home without a warrant, subsequently confined in Orumiyeh Central Prison’s women’s section for 21 harrowing days until her bail was granted.
During her haunting time at the Ministry of Intelligence facility, she was denied the comfort of legal counsel or family visits, leaving her isolation palpable. Her son Shahriar was fatally injured by security forces amidst protests, passing away on 18 November 2022 after his wounds proved too severe, a victim of the very regime that her mother now confronts directly.
Mina Soltani, mother of Shahriar Mohammadi, has received an eight-month prison sentence and a fine for alleged state propaganda and not adhering to hijab laws. Her trial lacked a defence lawyer, and the sentence highlights ongoing persecution against dissenters in Iran. Soltani’s previous arrests and the tragic loss of her son during protests underscore the dire circumstances faced by those challenging governmental oppression in Iran.
Mina Soltani’s sentencing exemplifies the harsh realities faced by families affected by state violence in Iran. Despite her own suffering and relentless persecution, her story resonates as a testament to the sacrifices made for freedom. Shahriar’s tragic fate at the hands of the authorities deepens the narrative of struggle against oppression, reflecting the broader fight for justice and human rights in the region.
Original Source: kurdistanhumanrights.org
