Tag: Sepideh Rashnu

Sepideh Rashnu Summoned for Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
mandatory hijab, Sepideh Rashno, Sepideh Rashnu, سپیده رشنو

Sepideh Rashnu, a writer, student, and protester against mandatory hijab, has been summoned to serve her prison sentence. The Supreme Court has converted her prison sentence in another case to a fine.

Saman Rashnu, Sepideh’s brother, wrote on his personal page: “From March 10, 2024, until today, multiple notices have been sent to Sepideh, or she has been summoned by phone. Each time, Sepideh’s legal representative, Mr. Panahipour, or I visited the Enforcement of Judgments office to delay the sentence execution. We were trying to buy time, hoping the Supreme Court would acquit her in the second legal case to prevent the suspended sentence of the first case from being executed. The Supreme Court converted the prison sentence to a fine, but since the charge remains unchanged, the previous suspended sentence will be executed. Yesterday, the enforcement branch called, and Sepideh has to turn herself in to Evin Prison on Saturday, July 27.”

In mid-July 2022, a video surfaced online showing a confrontation between several women involving Rashnu on a BRT bus, where someone intervened in a woman’s dress under the pretext of “promoting virtue.” Some passengers confronted the person filming the protestors.

Subsequently, Rashnu was arrested for allegedly “insulting and assaulting the religious vigilante (hijab enforcer)” and was transferred to a security detention center. In December 2022, she received a suspended three-years, seven-months prison sentence for this case.

Faced with another judicial case, Ms. Rashnu was summoned and charged by Branch 1 of Evin’s Prosecutor’s Office in May 2023. In October of last year, Branch 1099 of the Ershad Court sentenced her to six months in prison, a ten million toman fine, and other additional punishments. Later, Branch 1 of Tehran’s Court of Appeals reduced the sentence to four months in prison, which was eventually converted to a fine by the Supreme Court.

In December last year, Rashnu’s lawyer announced that the second case was formed due to her appearance in her chosen attire in front of the court.

Sepideh Rashnu, aged around 30, is an undergraduate painting student at Alzahra University. She was also suspended for two semesters for not complying with the mandatory hijab.

Sepideh Rashnu Faces Four-Month Sentence on Appeal Amidst New Legal Challenges

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Freedom of Expression, News
compulsory hijab, Milad Panahi Pour, Sepideh Rashnu, Tehran Court of Appeal

Sepideh Rashnu, a student and vocal opponent of compulsory hijab, has been handed a four-month prison sentence by the Tehran Court of Appeal, as reported by Shargh Newspaper. Her lawyer, Milad Panahi Pour, disclosed that she is concurrently grappling with yet another legal case.

Rashnu was found guilty of “disseminating vulgar images on the Internet.” Panahi Pour clarified that, following the initial verdict, they filed an appeal. However, yesterday they were notified about the appellate court’s decision while en route to present their defense.

In addition to the ongoing legal proceedings, a new case has been initiated against Mrs. Rashnu, triggering the activation of a previously suspended three-year, seven-month sentence. Consequently, she is now facing a cumulative prison term of three years and eleven months.

This isn’t the first time Rashnu has encountered legal challenges stemming from her refusal to adhere to hijab rules. She had previously received a two-semester suspension from the university. Moreover, on July 16, 2022, security forces arrested her following an altercation on a city bus, during which she was harassed and physically assaulted by a woman who deemed her hijab improper.

Student Sepideh Rashnu Receives Six-Month Prison Sentence and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
compulsory hijab, Sepideh Rashnu

Sepideh Rashnu (Rashno), a student widely recognized for her opposition to compulsory Hijab, has been sentenced to six months in prison, along with additional penalties.

Rashnu publicly announced on social media that she has been sentenced to six months in prison, fined, and prohibited from using Instagram for one year. Furthermore, the court has ordered the permanent removal of her Instagram page.

The court session, held in absentia on October 2, 2023, addressed charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “incitement to immorality and indecency.”

Prior to this sentencing, Rashnu had already been suspended from the university for two semesters for alleged “non-compliance with the Islamic dress code.”

Her activism has previously led to arrests and convictions.

Sepideh Rashnu Faces Arraignment at Evin Courthouse

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
compulsory hijab, Evin Courthouse, Evin Prison, Sepideh Rashnu

Sepideh Rashnu, a student who has been vocal about her opposition to compulsory hijab, was arraigned at Evin Courthouse and subsequently released on bail.

Rashnu faces charges of “provoking promiscuity and engaging in propaganda against the regime.” Following her arraignment, she was briefly held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being released upon posting a one-billion bail. However, she is now prohibited from leaving Tehran.

Speaking about the accusations, Rashnu clarified, “Merely sharing a few photos of myself without a headscarf on my personal page does not justify their claims of promoting promiscuity and immodesty. Nor does it imply an association with everyone I follow on social media.”

This is not the first instance where Rashnu has encountered legal troubles due to her refusal to comply with hijab rules. She had previously received a two-semester suspension from the university. Furthermore, on July 16, she was arrested by security forces following an altercation on a city bus, during which she was harassed and physically assaulted by a woman who deemed her hijab improper.