This move highlights the regime’s ongoing suppression of opposition voices and raises serious human rights concerns.
Zahra Safaei, a long-standing critic of the clerical regime, received a five-year sentence from Tehran’s Revision Court. Meanwhile, Marzieh Farsi and Forough Taghipour, both accused of armed insurgency due to their affiliation with opposition groups, were each sentenced to 15 years by the 26th Branch of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court.
The charges against Farsi and Taghipour were formalized on December 9, 2023, marking a significant escalation in the regime’s efforts to quell opposition activities. This development follows a pattern of increased repression observed in the lead-up to the anniversary of the 2022 uprising, a period marked by widespread arrests and heightened surveillance.
Zahra Safaei’s history of political activism dates back to the 1980s when she was imprisoned for eight years due to her support for the PMOI/MEK. Her recent arrest, along with her daughter, occurred on February 24, 2020, leading to a three-year detention that included a harrowing incident where Safaei suffered a heart stroke following harassment by prison authorities.
Despite being released in early 2023, Safaei was re-arrested later in the year, demonstrating the regime’s relentless pursuit of those it deems a threat to its authority.
Forough Taghipour, a young accounting graduate, and Marzieh Farsi, a housewife battling cancer, share similar stories of persecution. Both women endured years of imprisonment and alleged torture before their re-arrest in August 2023.
Their connections to the PMOI/MEK have made them targets in the regime’s ongoing campaign against dissenting voices, underscoring the perilous conditions for political prisoners in Iran.These sentences come at a time of increasing international scrutiny over Iran’s human rights record.
Activists and human rights organizations worldwide have condemned the harsh treatment of political prisoners, calling for immediate action to address these injustices. The cases of Safaei, Farsi, and Taghipour represent just a fraction of the regime’s broader crackdown on opposition, highlighting the urgent need for global attention and intervention to safeguard the fundamental rights of all Iranians.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu
