Sepideh Rashnu, a student and civil activist opposing mandatory hijab, has been summoned by the Supreme Court to serve a prison sentence related to a separate case, following the conversion of one of her sentences to a fine.
According to the Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, her brother, Saman Rashnu, announced on Instagram that his sister has been summoned to serve her prison sentence. He stated that Ms. Rashnu is required to report to Evin Prison on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
Her Case History:
First Case: In July 2022, a video surfaced showing a verbal altercation between Ms. Rashnu and another woman on a BRT bus. Ms. Rashnu was arrested for “insulting and assault” and was given a suspended prison sentence.
Second Case: In June 2023, Ms. Rashnu was sentenced to six months in prison and a fine for “appearing in court in her chosen attire.” This was later reduced to four months in prison and a fine in the appeals court, and finally, the Supreme Court converted the sentence to a fine.
Third Case: In December 2023, Ms. Rashnu’s lawyer reported a new case against her for “appearing in court in her chosen attire.”
Ms. Rashnu has faced multiple legal actions due to her civil activism, particularly her protests against mandatory hijab.
The suspended sentence from the first case is now being enforced because the prison sentence from the second case has not been executed.
Human rights activists have expressed concern over her summons and the possibility of her imprisonment.