Iran: Journalist and Activist Sepideh Qolian Sentenced to Two Years in Prison, Faces Further Charges

The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands the Iranian regime stop its persecution of Qolian and release her and all imprisoned journalists

Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: July 10, 2023

Imprisoned for years, tortured, and continuously slapped with absurd charges, journalist and activist Sepideh Qolian was yet again sentenced to another two years in prison in July 2023, with further charges brought against her by her interrogator. The Coalition For Women In Journalism has been following the persecution of Qolian, a symbol of courage and resistance who refuses to submit or be silenced, with great worry since her initial arrest in 2018 and first conviction in 2019. CFWIJ demands an end to the vicious oppression of Qolian and those who challenge the regime. We call for her immediate release.

On July 10, Sepideh Qolian’s two-year prison sentence was upheld by the court of appeals in Tehran. Charged with "insulting the supreme leader," the journalist faces additional penalties, including a two-year ban on using smartphones, living in Tehran or neighboring provinces, and participating in social or political groups. 

Activist and freelance journalist Qolian was charged based on a video of her chanting an "anti-tyranny" slogan outside Evin prison in March 2023, hours after being released from an unjust three-year imprisonment. 

The journalist was first arrested in November 2018 during a workers' strike. Qolian was initially sentenced to 19 years and six months in prison, which was later reduced to five years on appeal. 

Although she was released on March 15, 2023, under the pretense of "amnesty," she was swiftly re-arrested hours later without an arrest warrant and sent back to prison.

Further Charges Filed by Her Interrogator

Following her re-arrest, Qolian was summoned to appear in court in July 2023 concerning a complaint filed by a reporter from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). 

This time the journalist is accused of "spreading lies in cyberspace" and engaging in "propaganda activity against the Islamic Republic in cyberspace."

The reporter who filed the complaint against Qolian is Ameneh Sadat Zabihpour. She is accused of being involved in coerced confessions of political prisoners and civil activists and is under US sanctions. 

Qolian — a torture victim by the Ministry of Intelligence and IRIB — has explicitly confirmed Zabihpour's participation in the process. The journalist claims Zabihpour was present during her interrogations and provided a prepared text for her to read after enduring physical and psychological torture.

“In a half-conscious state, I took the script from her and sat in front of the camera to read it," Qolian recounts.

In 2019, Qolian published the details of her torture and named her interrogator. Her revelations caused a significant backlash in Iran, leading authorities to broadcast a documentary featuring 

Qolian’s coerced confession. Her “confession” tape shows Qolian admitting to committing crimes and conspiring against the Iranian regime with Donald Trump and others. Her interrogator, Ameneh Sadat Zabihpour, produced the documentary.

Qolian says the broadcasted coerced confession shows the torture she endured. She submitted a complaint to the court arguing the documentary violated Iran's Criminal Procedures Regulations, which prohibits revealing suspects' identities and images before conviction.

Instead of investigating the complaint, the judiciary responded by opening a new case against Qolian, brought by Zabihpour.

“Within minutes (of filing the complaint), an order was issued giving Zabihpour immunity from any prosecution and dismissed my lawsuit against her,” Qolian explains. “Shortly after, they opened a new case against me and issued a summons for me to appear in court in five days.” 

On July 19, 2023, Qolian’s trial against these charges was postponed after she refused to wear a hijab in court.

Iran, Top Jailer of Women Journalists

Since protests in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, the Iranian regime has embarked on a relentless crackdown on journalists, activists, and independent media. The women-led revolution resulted in the arrests of 39 women journalists. 

From her prison cell in January 2023, Qolian praised the courage of those protesting the regime, writing that "in the fourth year of my imprisonment, I can finally hear the footsteps of liberation from all across Iran. The echoes of 'Woman, Life, Freedom' can be heard even through the thick walls of Evin prison."

There are currently 15 women journalists behind bars in the country, making it the world's top jailer of women journalists. The regime has resorted to arbitrary detentions, harassment, and targeting of journalists’ families to control the narrative and muzzle the press.

Sepideh Qolian has endured torture, imprisonment, and years of harassment by Iranian authorities. Despite this, she continues to speak out and inspire women fighting for freedom in the country. This latest sentence and the new charges are more abuses of state power aimed at silencing a critical voice. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is appalled by her treatment. We stand in solidarity with Qolian and all those suffering unjustly in Iran. All charges against her should be dropped, and she should be immediately and unconditionally released.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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