Neda Dedejani and Setayesh (Behnoush) Sarabi, two Kurdish women activists from Qorveh who were arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, have each received 31 lashes. They were subsequently transferred to the women’s ward of Sanandaj Central Prison to begin serving their prison sentences.
According to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the two women were summoned to a court in Qorveh on Saturday, August 22, 2026, under the pretext of providing further explanations. They were arrested immediately upon arrival, and their flogging sentences were carried out. This occurred despite their earlier requests to serve their sentences under electronic monitoring, which had remained unanswered.
Branch 102 of the Qorveh Criminal Court had previously sentenced each woman to one year in prison, 31 lashes, and two years of internal exile in Nik Shahr, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, on charges of “disturbing public peace and order.” In a separate part of the case, Branch 1 of the Qorveh Revolutionary Court sentenced each of them to two years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.” Under Iran’s sentencing rules, each woman must serve two years in prison.
Both women were arrested in Qorveh during the January 2026 protests. Dedejani is a theater artist, puppeteer, costume designer, and makeup artist. She previously received an award for puppetry and puppet design at the eighth Regional Theater Festival for Persons with Disabilities.
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According to the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the two women were summoned to a court in Qorveh on Saturday, August 22, 2026, under the pretext of providing further explanations. They were arrested immediately upon arrival, and their flogging sentences were carried out. This occurred despite their earlier requests to serve their sentences under electronic monitoring, which had remained unanswered.
Branch 102 of the Qorveh Criminal Court had previously sentenced each woman to one year in prison, 31 lashes, and two years of internal exile in Nik Shahr, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, on charges of “disturbing public peace and order.” In a separate part of the case, Branch 1 of the Qorveh Revolutionary Court sentenced each of them to two years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.” Under Iran’s sentencing rules, each woman must serve two years in prison.
Both women were arrested in Qorveh during the January 2026 protests. Dedejani is a theater artist, puppeteer, costume designer, and makeup artist. She previously received an award for puppetry and puppet design at the eighth Regional Theater Festival for Persons with Disabilities.
@iranhrdc
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#iran_strikes
#iran_human_rights
#iranmassacre
#neda_dadejani
#setayesh_sarabi