Iran Sentences Kurdish Women's Rights Activist Varisheh Moradi to Death

A Revolutionary Court in Iran has sentenced Varisheh Moradi, a Kurdish women's rights activist, to death on charges of "armed rebellion."

Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran handed down the death sentence, which was officially communicated to Moradi's lawyers on Sunday.

The court cited Moradi's alleged affiliation with the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) as grounds for the sentence.

Throughout the proceedings, Moradi’s legal team faced extensive restrictions. Her lawyers were denied access to her case file during the final hearing on October 6 and in previous sessions.

Moradi herself was not allowed to present a defense in court.

In protest of the death sentence, Moradi initiated a 20-day hunger strike beginning October 10, coinciding with the World Day Against the Death Penalty. 

Moradi’s legal troubles began on August 1, 2023, when intelligence security forces abducted her while she was traveling from Marivan to Sanandaj.

According to the Hengaw human rights organization, Moradi endured severe torture at the Sanandaj Intelligence Department's detention center, including an incident where she reportedly vomited blood and lost consciousness.

After spending five months in solitary confinement in Evin Prison’s Ward 209, controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence, Moradi was transferred to the women’s ward in December 2023.