Iran: Iranian-Kurdish Journalist Zhina Modares Gorji Sentenced to 21 Years in Prison
Gorji has lodged an objection against the severe sentence.
Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: May 23, 2024
Women Press Freedom stands firmly with Zhina Modares Gorji, a prominent Iranian-Kurdish journalist and women's rights activist from Sanandaj, who has been handed a 21-year prison sentence and exile to Hamedan Central Prison by the Iranian judiciary. The verdict includes 10 years for "forming an illegal group with the intent to overthrow the government," another 10 years for "collaborating with hostile groups and governments," and a year for "propaganda against the government." We vehemently condemn the bogus charges and unjust prison sentence imposed on the journalist. We demand her immediate release and unconditional exoneration, urging the international community to prioritize the cases of journalists when engaging with Iran.
On May 23, 2024, following the final hearing on April 10, Zhina Modares Gorji was sentenced to an outrageously severe 10-year term in Hamedan prison. The court's decision to impose the severe sentence was based on reports from the Ministry of Intelligence, citing “security threats.”
Among the bogus charges levied against Gorji are "establishing the Zhivano Association with a feminist ideology and with the aim of overthrowing the regime; participating purposefully in gatherings and chanting subversive slogans; connecting with anti-regime elements; attending international conferences and workshops; publishing content on social media; giving interviews to foreign media to portray the country's situation negatively; and incite public unrest during the sensitive period after Mahsa Amini's death."
The Islamic Revolutionary Court also implicated Gorji in spreading falsehoods and inciting violence.
Following her arrest on April 10, 2023, Gorji spent a month in solitary confinement before being transferred to the general ward of the Sanandaj Correctional and Rehabilitation Center. This arrest marked her second detention following Masha Amina’s protests in September 2022.
Gorji's legal team has filed an appeal.
Women Press Freedom has been closely monitoring and documenting the Iranian regime's ruthless suppression of dissent. Iran currently holds the unfortunate distinction of being the world's leading jailer of journalists.
Women Press Freedom unequivocally supports Zhina Modares Gorji and denounces the unjust and severe sentence imposed on her. We call on the Iranian regime to halt its crackdown on media professionals and media freedom. It is imperative for the international community to prioritize the cases of journalists in discussions with Iran.
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