Iranian justice has convicted a young couple who drew attention to themselves with a dance video.
As the justice portal Misan announced on Wednesday, Astijazh Haghighi (21) and her fiancé Amir Mohammad Ahmadi (22) have been sentenced to five years in prison for violating national security. The two bloggers called for protests on social media, the accusation read.
In doing so, the judiciary contradicted the representation of activists who had published a different version on Tuesday. According to information provided by the activists, the bloggers have each been sentenced to more than ten years in prison by a Tehran revolutionary court following the publication of a dance video.
Ahmadi and Haghighi were arrested in early November, the US-based organization Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported.
A video shows how the two bloggers dance and Haghighi without a headscarf in front of the Freedom Tower in the capital Tehran. Both are banned in public in Iran. There was no information about when the video was released. According to activists, the couple were also convicted of “spreading depravity”.
No access to legal defense
As The Guardian continues to write, HRANA relies on sources close to the two influencers. So neither would have had access to legal defense. Attempts to get the two released on bail were also rejected.
The couple may also no longer be active on social media during the negotiations. A look at Astijazh Haghighi’s Instagram page shows that the ban is taking effect: the young woman’s last post is more than four months old.
Haghighi is now said to be in Qarchak Prison outside Tehran – a prison notorious for poor prison conditions.
Protests against the radical regime
The latest wave of protests in Iran was triggered by the death of Iranian Kurd Jina Mahsa Amini in police custody in mid-September. She had been arrested by the so-called vice police for violating Islamic dress codes.
Street protests have subsided in recent weeks. Many women now express their displeasure through civil disobedience, for example by ignoring the mandatory headscarf. (fwe/sda/dpa)
More videos:
Humpback whale stranded in New York – it’s not an isolated case
Firefighters want to extinguish burning Tesla – and need 23,000 liters of water
Rocks collide with house: woman almost hit
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
