an activist against the veil summoned by the courts to serve a sentence of almost four years in prison

Iranian justice has summoned a 29-year-old woman, who is openly against the compulsory wearing of the Muslim veil, to serve a sentence of three years and eleven months. She orders Sepideh Rashno to report to prison in the coming days, the reformist daily said. Sazandegui, Saturday February 17. The execution of the verdict against the activist was suspended until March 10, the newspaper noted. Ham MihanSaturday afternoon, without providing further details.

Sepideh Rashno, 29, was previously detained for more than a month in July 2022 after being involved in an argument with another woman who accused her of removing her veil on a bus. The activist’s lawyer announced in December that the appeal court had confirmed the verdict of his client sentenced to prison “for the incident on the bus” and for “publication of indecent images” on the Internet. After the incident, Sepideh Rashno posted photos of herself without a veil on Instagram, as well as texts against the strict dress code imposed on women.

Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, wearing the veil has been compulsory in Iran for all women who must hide their hair in public places. In recent months, more and more women have appeared without veils in public places, particularly after the protest movement triggered by the death in detention in September 2022 of Mahsa Amini, arrested for violating the strict dress code. His death led to protests against Iran’s political and religious leaders.