Rezvaneh Khanbeigi, an activist and political prisoner who spent most of her pregnancy behind bars, has been summoned to return to prison to serve the remainder of her sentence. According to a statement she released, her daughter, Mahfar Lalehzari, who is under two years old, will be forced to accompany her to Evin Prison. Khanbeigi's husband, Behfar Lalehzari, is also currently imprisoned.
Khanbeigi and her husband were arrested by security forces on September 18, 2023. They were initially transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin before being moved to Evin Prison. In January 2024, they were sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of assembly and collusion against national security and disseminating propaganda against the Islamic Republic. Although the verdict was upheld on appeal, their prison terms were later reduced to 20 months.
Khanbeigi remained in prison until the final month of her pregnancy. After the birth of her daughter, the implementation of the remainder of her sentence was temporarily suspended, but her sentence was not reduced. She has now been ordered to return to prison to serve the rest of her sentence.
Over the past several years, the family's home has reportedly been raided and searched repeatedly by security forces, and they have been subjected to repeated threats during interrogations. Khanbeigi has also stated that neither she nor her husband had legal representation during their case and that they were denied effective legal support throughout the judicial process.
In a message published before returning to prison, Khanbeigi expressed deep concern about the impact incarceration could have on her young daughter. She wrote that she fears the prison environment will harm her daughter's mental well-being and healthy development, stressing that neither she, her husband, nor their child should be deprived of their freedom.
At the end of her message, Khanbeigi expressed hope that her imprisonment would be brief and asked her friends and supporters not to forget her family of three and to pray for their freedom.
@iranhrdc
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#iran_strikes
#iran_human_rights
#rezvaneh_khanbeigi
#behfar_lalehzari
Khanbeigi and her husband were arrested by security forces on September 18, 2023. They were initially transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin before being moved to Evin Prison. In January 2024, they were sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of assembly and collusion against national security and disseminating propaganda against the Islamic Republic. Although the verdict was upheld on appeal, their prison terms were later reduced to 20 months.
Khanbeigi remained in prison until the final month of her pregnancy. After the birth of her daughter, the implementation of the remainder of her sentence was temporarily suspended, but her sentence was not reduced. She has now been ordered to return to prison to serve the rest of her sentence.
Over the past several years, the family's home has reportedly been raided and searched repeatedly by security forces, and they have been subjected to repeated threats during interrogations. Khanbeigi has also stated that neither she nor her husband had legal representation during their case and that they were denied effective legal support throughout the judicial process.
In a message published before returning to prison, Khanbeigi expressed deep concern about the impact incarceration could have on her young daughter. She wrote that she fears the prison environment will harm her daughter's mental well-being and healthy development, stressing that neither she, her husband, nor their child should be deprived of their freedom.
At the end of her message, Khanbeigi expressed hope that her imprisonment would be brief and asked her friends and supporters not to forget her family of three and to pray for their freedom.
@iranhrdc
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#iran_strikes
#iran_human_rights
#rezvaneh_khanbeigi
#behfar_lalehzari