Women’s rights activist Atefeh Rangriz sentenced to 7 years and 7 months in prison

Hengaw: Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Atefeh Rangriz, a women’s rights activist from Damghan currently on medical leave from Shahrud Central Prison, has been sentenced by Iran's judiciary to a total of seven years and seven months in prison, along with a two-year ban on social media activities.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Atefeh Rangriz was recently convicted by the Damghan Revolutionary Court on two charges: seven years of imprisonment for “forming a Telegram group (Gago Translation)” and seven months of imprisonment, coupled with a two-year ban on social media activities, for “engaging in propaganda against the state.” Additionally, the court denied her request for an extension of medical leave required for a critical CT angiography procedure.

Rangriz, who had been temporarily released from Shahrud Prison on November 6, 2024, due to her deteriorating health, was initially arrested on June 29, 2024, and transferred to Shahrud Central Prison.

Her lawyer, Hosein Taj, stated: “While her request for an extension of medical leave for a CT angiography procedure was denied, the Damghan Revolutionary Court issued its ruling. Atefeh Rangriz has been sentenced to seven years for forming a Telegram group and seven months for propaganda against the state, in addition to a two-year social media ban.”

Previously, Rangriz was arrested on September 10, 2023, by Intelligence Department forces in Damghan and held at a detention center in Semnan before being transferred to Shahrud Central Prison. She was released on October 20, 2023, after posting bail.

In an earlier case, she was sentenced by the Damghan Revolutionary Court to, two years, seven months, and 16 days for “collaboration and membership in anti-state groups.” Seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the state.”