News Center – Iran has recently witnessed an increase in judicial summonses targeting activists, students, and journalists, amid escalating restrictions on civil and political liberties inside the country, with growing human rights criticism of these measures.

Motahareh Gouni, a former student activist and political prisoner, announced today, Tuesday, May 5, that she received a summons from Branch 9 of the Prosecutor's Office for Culture and Media. She published a picture of the summons, explaining that she is required to appear before Branch 9 of the Tehran Court for Culture and Media following a complaint filed by the "Sarallah" headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. According to the summons, she must attend to defend herself; otherwise, she will be arrested.

In the new case, charges such as "insulting the leadership," "insulting Islamic sanctities," "insulting officials and agents," "propaganda against the system," and "spreading lies" have been brought against Motahareh Gouni – charges that have been repeatedly used in recent years to prosecute civil, political, and student activists.

Motahareh Gouni had previously been arrested in a violent operation that resulted in her hand being broken. After her release, she testified about her prison period, stating that her cell door remained closed during bombings, that she was transferred to so‑called "safe houses," that she was denied medical treatment, and that her health deteriorated in the quarantine section of Gortchak Prison.

Earlier, Motahareh Gouni had been sentenced to 21 months in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges related to "propaganda against the system" and "insulting Khamenei." This ruling was later upheld by the appeals court.

Motahareh Gouni was previously arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence forces on June 14, 2025, coinciding with the outbreak of war between Iran and Israel. She is among the activists arrested during the popular uprising in Iran, where she was detained for a period, then released, only to later face a decision to expel her from the university.