News Center – Iran is witnessing a continuing wave of violations against its citizens, ranging from controversial court rulings to the transfer of prisoners and detention under harsh conditions such as solitary confinement. These practices have sparked widespread concern among human rights organizations and the families of detainees.

Iranian media reported that the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling against Iranian comedian Zeynab Mousavi, sentencing her to six months in prison, imposing a fine of 16 million tomans, and obliging her to write a research thesis on the poet Ferdowsi under the supervision of the Ferdowsi Foundation, following accusations of “insulting” him.

Judicial authorities had summoned Zeynab Mousavi after she published a video on social media containing statements deemed offensive to Ferdowsi. A primary court later issued the prison sentence and additional penalties, which were subsequently confirmed and finalized by the Court of Appeal.

Zeynab Mousavi, one of Iran’s first female comedians and the creator of the character “Emperor Kuzco,” was arrested in November 2023 and released after several days. Her case was then referred to both the Revolutionary and Criminal Courts in Tehran on two separate charges.

Transfer to Qarchak Prison

Iranian authorities transferred Dr. Kelnaz Naraghi, a 37-year-old emergency physician detained in Tehran, to the women’s ward of Qarchak Prison after approximately two weeks of incommunicado detention, amid growing concern over her health condition.

Reports indicate that her health is unstable, while her family has not received clear information regarding her detention conditions or the legal procedures taken against her. Kelnaz Naraghi, who worked at Hashemi Nejad and Shohada-e Tajrish hospitals, was arrested at her home in January.

Arrests

Media outlets also reported that Iranian authorities are holding mountaineers Ali Akbari Nejad (46) and Samaneh Lal Behvahan (44) in solitary confinement at Mashhad Prison, following nearly a month of no contact with them. Their families reportedly received a phone call allegedly from the prison, without any disclosure of their whereabouts or details about their health conditions.

Security forces had raided the home of Akbari Nejad’s father, violently arresting the athletic couple and confiscating all their electronic and personal devices. Reports further indicated that Ali Akbari Nejad was beaten by security forces during the arrest.