Varisheh Moradi, a Kurdish female activist, and Pakhshan Azizi, a civil activist who had gone on a hunger strike to protest the uncertainty of their cases and the transfer of Ms. Moradi to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, ended their strike after 4 days.
According to the Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, Ms. Moradi was transferred from the women’s ward of Evin Prison to Ward 209 by order of Judge Salavati on May 14th. 2024. This transfer prompted protests from the two civil activists, leading them to start a hunger strike on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024.
Human rights activists state that Ms. Moradi and Ms. Azizi are among dozens of political prisoners in Iran whose cases remain unresolved.
Varisheh Moradi was arrested by security forces in the outskirts of Sanandaj on August 1st, 2023. After completing the interrogation process in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, she was transferred to the women’s ward on December 26th, 2023.
Ms. Moradi, a resident of Sanandaj, was charged in February of the previous year by the Fifth Branch of the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran. Her case, involving charges of “membership in one of the opposition groups” and “armed rebellion,” was referred to the Fifteenth Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. However, no court hearing has been held to date.
Pakhshan Azizi, the other defendant in this case, was arrested in Tehran on August 4th, 2023, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After four months of interrogation, she was moved to the women’s ward.
Ms. Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was charged in February of the previous year by the Fifth Branch of the Evin Security Prosecutor’s Office. Her indictment, accusing her of “membership in anti-state groups,” was referred to the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.
Pakhshan Azizi has a history of arrests and legal confrontations. She was previously arrested by security forces on November 16, 2009, and was released on bail after four months.