Fatemeh Sepehri

Fatemeh Sepehri is one of the signatories of the famous "Letter of 14" which strongly criticized the country's conditions and demanded the resignation of the leader Ali Khamenei. Despite her Islamic beliefs, she has been one of the most vocal and direct critics of the theocracy in Iran. She has been arrested and convicted several times.

• # Life In 2004, at the age of 40, Ms. Sepehri participated in the university entrance exam and succeeded in being accepted into the Bachelor of Business Administration course at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and received her bachelor's degree from this university. Fatemeh, Ibrahim's daughter, lost her husband during the 8-year Iran-Iraq war in the early 80s, and the guardianship of her child was given to her father-in-law (as a legal guardian) against Sepehri's consent.
• <coverage-outsourcing id='45784'> Her husband Ali Azizi was killed in the Iran-Iraq war. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='45785'> The court gave her father-in-law custody of her child. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='26273'> A strongly-worded statement was published by 14 political activists inside the country calling for the resignation of Ali Khamenei and fundamental changes to the constitution. It led to similar 14-person statements inside and outside the country </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='27055'> A letter was published, undersigned by her and 14 other women's rights activists. In the letter, they’ve asked for the resignation of Ali Khamenei, complete transition away from the Islamic Republic and a new constitution. These activtists have noted the similar demands of 14 civil activists in the summer and have said that in protest to the gender apartheid “which results from the patriarchal approach of the clerical regime, we will rise against this mysognistic regime which has diminished human values and demand complete transition away from the Islamic Republic and devision of a a new consitution.” They have also stressed that it was after the revolution and establishment of the Islamic Republic that “many elementary and human rights were taken away from Iranian women” and “anybody who spoke up against this gender discrimionation was met with insults and humilation, beating up, prison and in some cases even torture and execution.” The 14 women’s rights activists continue their statement by stating their determination to continue their struggle “in a civil and non-violent manner” by “saying no to the Islamic Republic.” </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='26283'> A number of political and civil activists who had gathered in front of appellate court for Kamal Jafari Yazdi were arrested. They were first sent to Vakilabad Prison and three days later to Mashhad’s Intelligence Ministry detention house. Based on some reports, all the arrested men staged a hunger strike. A number of the arrestees were signatories to the 14-person statement </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='26293'> Fars News Agency, which is close to the IRGC, reported the following: “Today, a number of anti-regime elements who were seeking a plan to create disorder and disrupt security were arrested in a meeting in Mashhad. The arrestees have relations to the counter revolutionary groups abroad. They have relations with groups that seek the overthrow the regime and designs to organize clashes in the city.” A few days later, Hassan Jafari, the deputy provincial governor of Khorasan Razavi province who is in charge of the political department, repeated the same claims and said the political activists had not been arrested because of their letter to Ali Khamenei but because of their attempts to “overthrow” the regime and “contact people abroad.” The provincial offices of the Intelligence Ministry also published a statement that said that the arrestees were seeking “new conspiracies and chaos” and that “they had a mission as the parliamentary elections approached; they were to plan contacts with critical candidates, make them more bold in their positions and thus use open political space to create chaos and further domestic clashes. With creating new disunity, they were to further the goals of the enemies of the Iranian nation” </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='26792'> HRANA reported her transfer to Vakil Abad prison. According to the report, Ms. Sepehri will be denied communication and family visits for two weeks. </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='28925'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-23672/?tg_rhash=22a41dd9689763'> Eight people connected with the 14-person statement were sentenced to prison, exile, and social deprivations by Branch 4 of Mashhad Revolutionary Court. According to the sentence, Hashem Khastar was sentenced to 16 years in prison, three years in exile in Nikshahr, and a three-year ban on leaving the country, Mohammad Nourizad was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years in exile in Izeh, and a three-year ban on leaving the country, Abdol Rasul Mortazavi was sentenced to 26 years in prison, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri was sentenced to 6 years in prison, Fatemeh Sepehri was sentenced to 6 years in prison, and Hashem Rajaei, Mohammad Hossein Pour and Morteza Ghasemi were sentenced to one year in prison. Due to the vagueness of the charges against these people, some of the sentences have not been recorded in the statistical section </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='29506'> <reference source='https://prisonatlas.com/korona/'> According to IPA, families of political prisoners affiliated with statement 14 wrote a letter to the judiciary and called for the release or granting leave to prisoners </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='29574'> <reference source='https://www.radiozamaneh.com/493277'> She was transferred to another ward in Mashhad Prison. Her previous ward has become a quarantine area for prisoners suspected of coronavirus. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='29556'> <reference source='https://prisonatlas.com/%d9%86%d9%88%d8%b1%db%8c%e2%80%8c%d8%b2%d8%a7%d8%af%d8%8c-%d8%b3%d9%be%d9%87%d8%b1%db%8c%d8%8c-%d8%ae%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%a7%d8%b1/'> According to IPA, the ongoing arrest of Mohammad Nourizad, Hashem Khastar, Mohammad Hossein, and Fatemeh Sepehri is illegal. Lawyer Mohammad Hossein Aghasi said: According to Article 222 of Iran's criminal procedure law, Judge can be prosecuted, if the accused's bail is not accepted after the judicial order set on bail. Lawyer Ghasem Sholeh Saadi had insisted that requesting the leadership's resignation is not a crime, in a recent interview with Iran International. He also added: According to law, if the leader loses its qualificatio, must be dismissed. From this point of view, none of the defendants of this case should be found guilty under the laws of the Islamic Republic </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='29865'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-24276/'> The Khorasan Razavi Court of Appeals upheld the verdicts of the three signatories of statement 14 and reduced Fatemeh Sepehri's sentence. The court has reduced only one year of exile and ban of leaving country sentences for Mr. Nourizad and Mr. Khastar. Fatemeh Sepehri's sentence was reduced to three years and six months in prison, but Mohammad Hossein Sepehri's conviction was upheld. According to the reports, Hashem Khastar was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for the charge of "managing or developing opposition groups", and Mohammad Nourizad was also sentenced to 7 years and 6 months of imprisonment for the same charge. They have also been sentenced to prison for other charges. According to Article 134, the sentences will apply to Hashem Khastar, Mohammad Nourizad, and Fatemeh Sepehri, and probably Mr. Sepehri's sentence will be five years of imprisonment. One of the charges against them is signing the letter demanding Ali Khamenei's resignation from the leadership. Lawyer Mohammad Hossein Aghasi insisted that this movement is not considered as a crime under the Islamic Republic's law, and an acquittal must be provided for such a case </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='29989'> <reference source='https://prisonatlas.com/%d9%81%d8%a7%d8%b7%d9%85%d9%87-%d8%b3%d9%be%d9%87%d8%b1%db%8c/'> According to IPA, Fatemeh Sepehri has opposed the temporary or permanent release from prison that was supposed to be included in his case. Mrs. Sepehri indicated that she would not be released from prison without the signatures of Statement 14. "I do not want the amnesty of the leadership because I do not accept the leadership. They started the war and made my children fatherless and ruined my life for 38 years, Now they want to forgive me? They must prove all the charges against me first, then take me to prison, or execute me. I do not want the amnesty of Khamenei, let the people who love him receive forgiveness" she said in an audio message </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='30576'> <reference source='https://www.isna.ir/news/99022518442/%D8%AA%D8%B9%D9%84%DB%8C%D9%82-%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B7%D9%85%D9%87-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D9%87%D8%B1%DB%8C'> According to Isna, a court in Mashhad has suspended the rest of Mrs. Sepehri's prison sentence. Mrs. Sepehri was taken to court on Thursday, and the judge told her: > Keeping the martyr's wife in prison is wrong and we will release you." Mrs. Sepehri was released a few hours after being transferred to prison. Mrs. Sepehri was notified about the suspended sentence at the time of her release, and she was about to refuse it but eventually accepted the decision with the mediation of her family. "I'll go on with my path and I will not remain silent, Fatemeh Sepehri said in a video message after her release </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='36176'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/TaranehRaki/status/1407752125573107713?s=20'> Fatemeh Sepehri, sister of Mohammad Hossein Sepehri announced in a video that Mr. Sepehri and Kamal Jafari were assaulted and beaten by Ali Timaji, the new supervisor of ward 6/1 at Vakil Abad Prison. According to Ms. Sepehri's account, Ali Timaji first assaulted Mr. Jafari while cursing at him and the next day he took all of the two political prisoners' personal belongings out of their cells. At the time all the political prisoners were taken to the yard. When Mr. Sepehri objected, Ali Timaji assaulted him again and broke his tooth. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='36512'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2021/hranews/a-31177/'> Javad Lal Mohammadi and Fatemeh Sepehri were arrested. During a protest gathering in Mashhad in support of the people of Khuzestan a group of protesters were arrested and taken to an undisclosed location. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='36513'> <reference source='https://t.me/DORRTV/107311'> In a video message, Fatemeh Sepehri announced that she was released after getting severely sick after six days in the Intelligence Ministry lockup. She said that she got arrested and beaten and tased during the protest in Mashhad. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='36514'> <reference source='https://t.me/DORRTV/107485'> Javad Lal Mohammadi was released from prison after eight days of torture. After his release, he released a video message describing the events of the eight days. According to his account, Mr. Lal Mohammadi and Ms. Sepehri were transferred to a police station after their arrest. After seeing the condition they were in, a police officer orders to uncuff Mr. Mohammadi and unshackle Ms. Sepehri. After a while, IRGC agents transferred Mr. Lal Mohammadi to an undisclosed location in the middle of the night with a bag over his head and handcuffed. They didn't feed him for four days and only gave him a glass of water. They would put a bag over his head and repeatedly lash and beat him. They eventually released him in the Shandiz Desert neat Mashhad. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='42184'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1572562784172515331?s=20&t=vvRcHrPohtR3Vj5EyZfa_w'> Ms. Sepehri's brother Asghar Sepehri reported on Twitter that she was arrested by Intelligence Ministry agents in Mashhad. based on the reports that IPA reviewed, in recent months Ms. Sepehri had called people to take effective action to overthrow the Islamic Republic. In her interviews with Iran International, she repeatedly declared that the Islamic Republic cannot be reformed and the people must move on to overthrow the regime. Her interviews as a religious woman from the family of the Iran-Iraq war's wounded soldiers and martyrs while wearing full hijab had a massive and broad impact. In several interviews with Iran International, she discussed the murder of Mahsa Amini and the idea that overthrowing the Islamic Republic is in the interest of the people. She was among the activists who got arrested early in the nationwide uprising triggered by the murder of Mahsa Amini. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='42844'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1581704852949807104?s=20&t=rpG3UaQ2mL82KvFFCn1XOw'> Her brother Ali Asghar Sepehri released a video announcing that the family is very worried about Ms. Sepehri's condition. According to Ali Asghar Sepehri, Ms. Sepehri is suffering from blood pressure and diabetes and takes medication for them. She also had surgery on her left hand recently for which she was in recovery, and they have not heard from her for 11 days. In the video, Ms. Sepehri's mother says: > No matter how many times I call, yell, or beg them to let her call us, they don't. Ms. Sepehri's mother said: > They take healthy youth and break their arms and legs. She also asked the freedom seekers in the world to help the Iranian people. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='42847'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1584230243690516480?s=20&t=xwQ8RUELD03UxfpYis2jHw'> In a video message on Asghar Sepehri's Twitter account, Fatemeh Sepehri's mother said she was finally able to hear her daughter's voice after 33 days and she could barely talk. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='42845'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1584241637047209984?s=20&t=xwQ8RUELD03UxfpYis2jHw'> In a video message on Asghar Sepehri's Twitter account, Ensieh Mahdacvi, Ms. Sepehri's daughter described her mother as "Ali Khamenei's nightmare" and said after a month in solitary and the Intelligence lockup in Mashhad, she can barely talk and the family's efforts at the courthouse to transfer her to the general population has been futile. In another video she said after the conversation between the investigator of the case, Soleimani, with Ms. Sepehri, her health deteriorated and she was transferred to the hospital with vertigo and heartburn. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='42846'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1584537027361374208?s=20&t=xwQ8RUELD03UxfpYis2jHw'> Her daughter Ensieh Mahdavi, reported that her mother was transferred from the hospital to Mashhad's Vakil Abad Prison. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='45786'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1609926126134038529'> Her arrest warrant was extended for the third time while she has several underlying diseases and is being denied sufficient medical treatment. Asghar Sepehri said on Twitter: > Before the arrest, my sister went under operation twice for a mass in her left arm and needs physiotherapy. The doctor said she must stay away from mental pressure and stress. > He went on to say: Due to her diabetes, my sister requires an appropriate diet and she also has blood pressure issues. She was denied phone calls and family visits in person after the call for protest in November. These restrictions have led to her visiting the infirmary every day with blood pressure over 18. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='46457'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2023/hranews/a-39372/?tg_rhash=22a41dd9689763'> The criminal court of Mashhad sentenced Ms. Sepehri to one year in prison and 200 million rials in fines for disseminating lies and agitating public opinion through activities online and her interviews with Persian media abroad. Later Asghar Sepehri announced that Judge Arab at branch 142 of the criminal court issued the sentence. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='47867'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1625892156291293185?s=20'> In a letter from Prison, Fatemeh Sepehri warned the Islamic Republic officials that she will not back down until she "takes back our homeland." In the letter published on her brother's Twitter account, she says: > Despite the terrible pain in my arm being confirmed by the doctor and receiving several injections, the judge has ordered to deny me of further medical treatment and my temporary arrest warrant was extended again to bring up more fake charges against me. Finally, in February, I was sentenced to one year in prison and 200 million rials in fines in absentia on the charge of disseminating lies such as the fraud in the 2009 elections, the massacre of 1500 protesters in November 2019, gifting Iran to Russia and China. She also said in February she was also tried suddenly and without prior notice on the charge of insulting the leader, collusion with enemy states, and interview with dissident networks. She denied all the charges. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='47842'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1628042340202938530?s=20'> Asghar Sepehri released the audio file of his conversation with his sister Fatemeh Sepehri and wrote that the primary revolutionary court of Mashhad presided by Judge Mansouri sentenced her to 10 years in prison for propaganda against the state, five years for cooperation with enemy states, two years for insulting the founder and leader of the Islamic Republic, and one year for another charge (possibly assembly and collusion). Mr. Sepehri also reported that their conversation was cut off abruptly. Since the maximum penalty for propaganda against the state is one year in prison, it seems the rest of the 10 years in prison is related to another charge, or the 10 years in prison is the maximum enforceable sentence after applying article 134. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='49831'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1638930221444259841?s=20'> Her attorney Gholam Hossein Doustali Makki told her brother Asghar Sepehri that since the court has rejected her attorney, the primary court's sentence is now final. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='52044'> <reference source='https://t.me/kalemehtv/149765'> 90 civil and political activists in Iran published a statement to support Iranian women's efforts to abolish the mandatory hijab and wrote that they will be "with Iranian women for the freedom of clothing". Among the signatories of this statement are Hashem Khastar, Mohammad Nourizad, Fatemeh Sepehari, Giti Pourfazel, Kamal Jafari Yazdi, Pouran Nazemi, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, Reza Mehregan, and Abbas Vahidian Shahroudi. They also asked the hijab believers to separate themselves from the oppressors, so as not to share in the disgrace and shame of the government. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='50830'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1652679436595068929?s=20'> Her brother, Asghar Sepehri, announced on his Twitter that Ms. Sepehri has undergone surgery on her left hand, and according to the advice of the doctors, she should spend her recovery period away from mental pressure and stress, but so far they have refused to send her on leave. During the past months, after the pain in Ms. Sepehari's left hand, the health authorities tried to control her disease by prescribing and injecting medicine, but finally, with the doctor's diagnosis, surgery was performed to remove the tumor. She now needs medical supervision and physical therapy. Fatemeh Sepehri also suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure and needs a proper diet for her health. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='51372'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1658321154992480256?s=20'> Asghar Sepehri wrote on Twitter that his sister, Fatemeh Sepehri, was sent to Imam Reza Hospital and was examined by a gastroenterologist. Mr. Sepehri also added that according to the doctor's opinion, she needed an urgent colonoscopy, but the agents returned Fatemeh Sepehri to prison. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='51371'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1658321154992480256?s=20'> In a tweet, Asghar Sepehri expressed concern about the health of his sister, Fatemeh Sepehri in prison. According to Mr. Sepehri, Fatemeh Sepehri lost "about 15 kilograms" of weight after her arrest, while she did not go on a hunger strike. He further added: > During the last 48 hours, intestinal bleeding has been added to the pain after the hand surgery. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53735'> <reference source='http://tinyurl.com/3j6rdjss'> According to Voice of America, Fatemeh Sepehri, who was transferred to the hospital after her surgical palm wound opened, was returned to the prison after being bandaged. Asghar Sepehri told Voice of America's Farsi section about his sister's condition: > Because the wound on Fatemeh Sepehri's left hand opened in prison, the authorities took her to the hospital with severe pain and bandaged the wound again and sent her back to prison." He added that his sister "after returning to the prison, in her call, she said that she is fine, but the prison environment is not suitable for treatment. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53730'> <reference source='http://tinyurl.com/54baxe92'> Fatemeh Sepehari, a political activist who lost her husband in the Iran-Iraq war, reacted to Ali Khamenei's meeting with the families of the martyrs and said that the Islamic Republic misused the blood of the martyrs and oppressed them. In her message, this political prisoner said: > For 45 years, they used the blood of so many martyrs and did so much injustice to the families of the martyrs. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53728'> <reference source='https://t.ly/8jCQD'> Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, the brother of Fatemeh Sepehri, in a video message, referring to his sister's illness, asked the UN fact-finding committee to ask the Iranian government about the reason for his sister's imprisonment. Voice of America published this news and wrote that Mohammad Hossein Sepehri has demanded an explanation from the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding the accusation of "collaboration with hostile countries" against his sister. Quoting Fatemeh Sepehri, he addressed the UN fact-finding committee that investigates the human rights situation in Iran and said, "Ask the regime of the Islamic Republic for what crime Fatemeh Sepehri is in prison?" </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53732'> <reference source='http://tinyurl.com/mtv5wvsw'> Fatemeh Sepehri's brother says that his sister's health condition is "very, very serious", but in response to the threats of the judicial authorities, he said that if Khamenei uses the "martyrs" for propaganda, he will not remain silent and will shame him. According to Voice of America quoting Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, despite the efforts of the medical staff, "there was no recovery, the pain is beyond the tolerance of a human being and it has spread to her right hand." In a video message, he explained that he had a cabin meeting with his sister "today" and realized that "the prison has imposed severe restrictions on her." </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='59475'> <reference source='https://x.com/abtinsepehri/status/1683429292791721986'> After visiting his sister in Vakil Abad prison, Mohammad Hossein Sepehari announced in a video that her illness has returned in prison and lumps can be seen on her palms and wrists. According to him, the reason for the return of the disease is the very intense mental and psychological pressures of the prison environment and the opposition of the supervising judge of the prison to her transfer to the hospital for treatment on time. In describing her sister's condition, he said that the treating doctor prescribed 15 sessions of physiotherapy for Fatemeh Sepehri twice in December 2022 and February 2023, but "with the opposition of the supervising judge" every time the dispatch and treatment was prevented, and as a result, Fatemeh Sepehri was "forced to go to the operating room for surgery" in January 2024. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53025'> <reference source='https://rb.gy/whr6uy'> In a message she sent on the occasion of the anniversary of the murder of Zhina (Mahsa) Amini from Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad, Fatemeh Sepehri called for the resumption of public protests. According to the Voice of America, Fatemeh Sepehri said in this message: > We have been grieving the brutal murder of Iranian girl Mahsa Amini for a year now, and we have suffered a lot during this time, and the casefile for the crimes of this criminal sect has become heavier and heavier. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53026'> <reference source='https://rb.gy/nmmvmg'> According to the statements of Fatemeh Sepehri's brother, her heart has a blockage and she must undergo an open valve surgery as soon as possible. She was taken to the hospital due to the deterioration of her physical condition and today she underwent angiography on September 28, 2022. In describing his sister's condition, Mohammad Hossein Sepehari says that the prison authorities denied his sister physical therapy, physiotherapy, and even a simple MRI despite the doctor's orders, and in order to put extra pressure on this political prisoner, they closed the windows of their cell. According to Mr. Sepehri, Fatemeh Sepehri suffered from heart disease under these tortures. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53028'> <reference source='https://rb.gy/24eq6e'> According to IranWire, Fatemeh Sepehri was transferred to prison without her family's knowledge after being admitted to the intensive care unit for a week. In this report, it is stated that after Mrs. Sepehari was discharged from the hospital, her family could not meet her or talk to her by phone when she went to Vakil Abad prison. In this report, it is stated that Hassan Sepehri and Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, the brothers of Fatemeh Sepehri, who were arrested in May 2022, at the hospital of their sister's surgery, are imprisoned in Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53029'> <reference source='https://t.ly/O2DuN'> Fatemeh Sepehri's brother Asghar Sepehri told Voice of America that with the family's follow-up, a letter was issued from the prison's infirmary stating that Fatemeh Sepehri could not continue imprisonment, and now they are waiting for the confirmation of the forensic doctor. Expressing concern about his sister's condition, he said that she was taken to Vakil Abad prison when she could not even get off the hospital bed, and the authorities say she should prove that she cannot bear the punishment. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53027'> <reference source='https://rb.gy/hchdco'> Khosro Alikordi, Fatemeh Sepehari's lawyer, reported about the deterioration of his client's condition in Vakil Abad Prison in Mashhad after her open heart surgery. According to the IranWire report, in a video addressed to the judiciary and referring to Article 502 of the Criminal Code, Khosro Alikordi referred to the unavailability of a standard and suitable environment in the prison to spend the recovery period and demanded an immediate order for the release of Mrs. Fatemeh Sepehri. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53030'> <reference source='https://t.ly/oOWFL'> Khosro Alikordi reported about Mrs. Sepehari's phone call and the disruptions of the security forces in her treatment process. He wrote on Twitter: > After being sent to the forensic medicine, the officers refused to take her out of the ambulance and the doctor came inside the ambulance." Mrs. Sepehri has told her lawyer that she is not willing to use her legal right, i.e., to "suspend the enforcement of the sentence", until the release of her two brothers "Mohammed Hossein Sepehri" and "Hossein Sepehri . </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53037'> <reference source='https://t.ly/rNZy0'> Fatemeh Sepehari, in a video message that she released from Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, said that she was sent on medical leave from prison for a week. According to Iran Wire, in this video, she condemned the attack of the Hamas group on Israel and expressed hope that the "Islamic Republic's book" will be shut during the "Al-Aqsa Storm". She went on to say: > We, the people of Iran, do not want war or the killing of defenseless people and emphasized: > Since the day the Islamic Republic came to power, the Middle East has not seen peace. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53038'> <reference source='https://t.ly/bNmK0'> Fatemeh Sepehri's brother released an audio file of his sister, announcing her arrest and re-transfer to Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad. According to Voice of America, hours before this audio file, Fatemeh Sepehari said in a video message that the Judge of Branch 21 of the Revolutionary Court called and said that she should report to prison. In this message, she emphasizes that whatever happens to her, "Ali Khamenei personally, and his agents" must be held accountable. Mrs. Sepehari said in her message that a person who has an open heart operation should take her medicines every minute and have the right food and space, while she is now suffering from dizziness, nausea, and pain. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53090'> <reference source='https://t.ly/GFkJv'> IranWire reported that Vakil Abad prison officials have announced without providing any explanation that Fatemeh Sepehri has been banned from visitation for four months. In this report, quoting Fatemeh Sepehri's brother, it is stated that during the visit on Tuesday, Mrs. Sepehri's health condition was so bad that she was not able to sit, and due to the pressures of the prison and the poor quality of the food, she had not eaten for almost a week and only had a few dates with her medicine. He also emphasized that when the prison authorities came to visit and Mrs. Sepehari complained about the blocked windows and the very bad smell of the room due to the obstruction of the toilets, Hadi Esmailzadegan, the warden of the prison, insulted and mocked this political prisoner with loud laughter. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53091'> <reference source='https://t.ly/jEOUR'> According to Iranwire, Fatemeh Sepehri was transferred from Vakil Abad prison to the hospital and admitted to the CCU ward. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53093'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2023/hranews/a-44888/'> Fatemeh Sepehri has recently been banned from making phone calls. The HRANA report also quoted Khosro Alikordi, Fatemeh Sepehri's lawyer, as saying: "The judge at the sentence enforcement office ordered Fatemeh Sepehri to be sent to the Forensic Medicine Commission of Khorasan Razavi province again to examine whether or not Mrs. Sepehri can tolerate imprisonment. But today, the medical examiner without even examining her announced that she is able to endure imprisonment. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53736'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2023/hranews/a-45171/'> After more than 50 days since their arrest, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri and Hossein Sepehri are still in Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad. Asghar Sepehri, the brother of Mohammad Hossein and Hossein Sepehri, told HRANA that his brothers have not had any phone calls with the family since November 9, and the relevant authorities have opposed their request to see their sister, Fatemeh Sepehri. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53737'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/Khosrowalikord2/status/1728850256472002994'> Attorney Khosrow Alikordi wrote on X: > During the face-to-face meeting I had with the highest judicial official of Khorasan Razavi province, the ban on visiting and phone calls of my clients Fatemeh Sepehri, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, and Hossein Sepehri in Vakil Abad Prison in Mashhad was canceled. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53861'> <reference source='https://bit.ly/47aerqR'> According to the Voice of America report, two human rights organizations in Canada awarded the "Majid Reza Rahnavard Medal of Courage" to Mashallah Karmi and Fatemeh Sepehri at the same time as the anniversary of the execution of this Iranian protester. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53863'> <reference source='https://twitter.com/dadban4/status/1736817437020979291'> Khosrow Alikordi, the lawyer of the Sepehari family, announced that his last meeting with Fatemeh Sepehri was three months ago, and since then, he has no information about her physical condition and legal rights in prison. In an interview with the Voice of America, he said that the Chief Justice of Khorasan Razavi Province promised to help and release Mrs. Sepehari, but this did not happen. He further added that Fatemeh Sepehri's phone calls are made "under special measures" and if she reports her condition, the prison officers will cut off her phone calls. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='53955'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2023/hranews/a-45732/'> Despite her poor physical condition, she has been deprived of proper medical care. HRANA quoted Mrs. Sepehari's brother and wrote that the pressure exerted by the prison authorities has increased his sister's heart rate and made her health condition worrying. According to him, the prison health officials have only prescribed and injected sleeping drugs for Mrs. Sepehari. This report says that Mrs. Sepehri is suffering from severe pain in her left hand and the inability to move her fingers. Even though the attending surgeon ordered physiotherapy three weeks ago, she was deprived of this procedure due to the violations of Leila Raminfar, the head of the women's ward of the prison, and her deputy, Mrs. Rahimzadeh. HRANA wrote that Mrs. Sepehari is suffering from dry and painful eyes, and the order of the prison authorities to send her to the hospital has been opposed. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='54426'> <reference source='https://ir.voanews.com/a/iran-fateme-sepehri-s-family-warns-about-her-health/7414943.html'> Fatemeh Sepehri's mother and brother reported on her deteriorating condition in prison and blamed Ali Khamenei for her health and her two imprisoned brothers. According to Voice of America, during the family's visit with Mrs. Sepehari today, her heart rate was so high that she was unable to speak. In a video message, Mrs. Sepehari's mother recalled that Fatemeh Sepehri suffered from many diseases in prison, and said that the government's purpose in returning her daughter to prison after open heart surgery was to prevent her treatment. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='54425'> <reference source='https://x.com/khosrowalikord2/status/1742933521948397968?s=46&t=jNyaq1pb6ZVWwV9EYos7fw'> Khosrow Alikordi, the attorney of Fatemeh Sepehari, in a letter to the head of the Judiciary, warned that his client's life was in danger in prison and demanded her "medical release". In this letter, which was published on his user account on X, Khosrow Alikordi emphasized "numerous mental and physical problems" including open heart surgery, three surgeries on her left hand, acute eye disease, and depression of Fatemeh Sepehari in prison. In such cases, the law foresees the suspension of execution of the sentence until the sick prisoner fully recovers. In a part of his letter to Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the Judiciary, this lawyer has described his efforts to stop the prison sentence due to the "acute condition" of Fatemeh Sepehri's illness as "futile". </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='54602'> <reference source='https://ir.voanews.com/a/fatemeh-and-mohammadhossein-sepehri-latest-status-prison/7434119.html'> According to Voice of America, Asghar Sepehri announced on his X account that despite two months having passed since the surgeon's order, the Mashhad Intelligence Department is still preventing Fatemeh Sepehri from being sent to physiotherapy. According to him, Mrs. Sepehari is not able to move the fingers of her left hand. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='54977'> <reference source='https://x.com/Khosrowalikord2/status/1751602821324017697?s=20'> Khosrow Alikordi wrote on his X account that he is unable to follow up on the letters he wrote to the judicial authorities regarding Fatemeh Sepehari due to the ban from practicing law. He said that as a lawyer and political activist, and because of social responsibility, he is worried about Mrs. Sepehri's situation. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='56805'> <reference source='https://x.com/NUFDIran/status/1769754496144494662'> NUFDI organization presented its human rights award to Fatemeh Sepehari. According to NUFDI's announcement, the "2024 Philanthropy Award" of this organization has been awarded to Fatemeh Sepehri, as "a woman who stands against the entirety of the Islamic Republic". </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='56795'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1776677476963414130'> Fatemeh Sepehari was accused of "supporting Israel" by Branch 903 of the Mashhad Prosecutor's Office headed by Ali Soleimani-Marshak. Her brother wrote on Twitter that the hearing was held virtually in the prison. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='59474'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1780258230557413845'> FatemehSepehari's brother wrote on his X user account that his sister was interrogated in prison by a person who introduced himself as a "psychological interrogator" and was subjected to psychological torture. According to Asghar Sepehari, his sister was taken to a virtual meeting from Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad and a person who introduced himself as a psychologist of the judiciary asked her private questions related to her childhood. Mr. Sepehri also wrote that Fatemeh Sepehri fell ill during this half-hour meeting and was transferred to the prison hospital. At the end of his post, Mr. Sepehri claimed that "Islamic Republic's agents", such as Ali Soleimani Marshak, the investigator of the 903 branch, are mentally torturing his sister. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='62424'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1795440600549851379'> The court hearing of Fatemeh Sepehri, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, and Hossein Sepehri was held in the fifth branch of the Mashhad Islamic Revolution Court. Asghar Sepehri wrote on X social network about the latest status of the case of his family members: > Yazdankhah, Judge of Branch 5 of Mashhad Revolution Court, after the court session on 17 April has sent the case of Fatemeh Sepehri, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri and Hossein Sepehri to Ali Soleimani Marshak, the investigator of the case, to add the charge of insulting Khamenei and Khomeini to their case. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='60666'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1799852153281945610'> The fifth branch of Mashhad Revolutionary Court, headed by Hossein Yazdankhah, sentenced Fatemeh Sepehri, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, and Hossein Sepehri to a total of 32 years in prison. Asghar Sepehari wrote on his X account that Fatemeh Sepehri was sentenced to seven years in prison for the charge of supporting Israel, seven years in prison for the charge of assembly and collusion to commit a crime against internal security, three years in prison for insulting Khamenei, and for the charge of propaganda against the system to one year and six months in prison. According to Asghar Sepehri, Mohammad Hossein Sepehari was also sentenced to five years in prison for the charge of assembly and collusion, two years in prison for the charge of insulting Khamenei, and one year in prison for the charge of propaganda against the system. Mr. Sepehri further wrote that his other brother, Hossein Sepehri, was sentenced by this court to three years and seven months in prison for the charge of assembly and collusion, one year and four months in prison for the charge of insulting Khamenei, and seven months in prison for the charge of propaganda against the system. With the application of Article 134 of the Criminal Code, the effective sentence for Fateme Sepehari will be seven years of imprisonment, five years of imprisonment for Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, and three years and seven months of imprisonment for Hossein Sepehri. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='63424'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1832799764733214945'> Her brother wrote on Twitter that the last cardiac examination of Fatemeh Sepehri was conducted on May 1, 2025. Doctors had recommended that she undergo heart check-ups every three months, but since then, this prisoner has not only been denied the necessary examinations, but is also suffering from serious issues such as irregular heartbeat, severe chest pain, and back pain. The statement continues that on July 20, 2025, an orthopedic specialist prescribed 10 sessions of physiotherapy for both her hands. However, she has only been taken for two sessions so far and continues to suffer from severe pain in both hands. The doctor attributed this to nerve pressure and muscle weakness. He further wrote that Ms. Sepehri does not have access to proper nutrition in prison and has repeatedly requested medical and compassionate leave, but these requests have been denied by Mashhad’s intelligence agency and the prison's supervising judge, Navid Tabatabaei. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='64837'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1855641600690422156'> Her brother announced on Twitter that the judiciary has conditioned Fatemeh Sepehri’s release from prison on her refraining from interviews with foreign media. He wrote: “Following her heart surgery, Ms. Sepehri has repeatedly requested medical leave, but Mashhad’s intelligence agency and the prison judge, Navid Tabatabaei, have rejected these requests. Due to her heart problems, lack of proper nutrition in prison, and the psychological pressure she is under, her physical condition has significantly deteriorated. In response, prison authorities arranged to provide her with one meal per week from outside the prison, but she refused and insisted that such a provision should also be made available to her fellow inmates.” </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='65364'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1864299053107794198'> Fatemeh Sepehri and Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, in a message from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad addressed to President Masoud Pezeshkian, declared that the greatest imbalance—and the root cause of all other imbalances in Iran—is the Islamic Republic itself. In their message, which was published on the X (formerly Twitter) page of their brother, Asghar Sepehri, they responded to Pezeshkian’s recent remarks about the potential rise in gasoline prices due to “imbalances.” They wrote: “The greatest imbalance, and the root of all others, is the Islamic Republic itself, which has never been aligned with the goals of the nation or homeland.” The letter goes on to say: “In 2019, we, along with our friends, declared this truth in the Statement of the 14, and received nothing in return but imprisonment and harassment. But know this: the people heard our message with all their hearts—and soon, they will respond to this imbalance.” </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='65353'> <reference source='https://tinyurl.com/m99bu72s'> Voice of America has reported on the continued restrictions against female political prisoners at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. These restrictions were imposed following a visit by inmates from Ward 6 with political prisoner Fatemeh Sepehri, reportedly on the orders of a prison officer named Jamileh Rahimzadeh. According to Voice of America, a released inmate stated that the doors to Wards 5 and 6 were shut without explanation, and access to facilities such as the infirmary, commissary, kitchen, gym, and workshops was entirely cut off for several days. The report further notes that a hunger strike by Farzaneh Ghareh-Hasanlou, Fahimeh Tashakkori, Aghrin Sedighi, and Zahra Kohnehkar, in protest of the lack of outdoor time and poor bathing conditions, prompted the prison warden, Hadi Esmaeilzadegan, to promise a review of their demands. However, the only change implemented so far has been that inmates are now only allowed to leave their ward if accompanied by a prison officer. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='65503'> <reference source='https://tinyurl.com/3pkfkfsc'> Voice of America has reported that despite her critical medical condition following several surgeries, Fatemeh Sepehri is facing new restrictions at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Asghar Sepehri, her brother, emphasized in an interview with Voice of America that prison authorities have locked all the wards—a move ordered by a judge and carried out without any explanation. He added that these restrictions, especially the limitation on outdoor time, have made the situation extremely difficult for his sister, who has undergone open-heart surgery. Fatemeh Sepehri’s brother also voiced concern about her health, stating that since the release of her former cellmates, she is now alone in the ward. He warned that if something were to happen to her, others might not find out in time to help. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='65925'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1872291173252878793'> Fatemeh Sepehri and Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, in a message addressed to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, called him the “true mercenary” and a “plunderer who has devastated the lives of Iranians.” They stated that he and his “decaying regime” will soon be “trampled underfoot by the very people.” In the message published on Twitter by their brother Asghar Sepehri, the two imprisoned siblings wrote: “Ali Khamenei, you are the real mercenary—you and your circle, who for years have plundered this country’s resources and brought ruin to the lives of its people. You proclaim that the people of Iran will trample the mercenaries underfoot; know this: very soon, you and your decaying regime will be the ones trampled underfoot by these very people.” </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='66067'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1878786972241564011'> Asghar Sepehri, the brother of Fatemeh Sepehri, wrote in a post on the social media platform X that his sister, due to her heart condition and prior surgery, requires cardiac check-ups every three months. She was examined by a heart surgeon on December 25, 2024. He added that due to severe pain in both her hands, she was examined by an orthopedic specialist on December 28, 2024, and was given pain-relieving injections. The treating physician prescribed 10 sessions of physiotherapy and attributed the primary cause of her pain to psychological pressure and stress related to the prison environment. Asghar Sepehri also stated that since December 5, 2024, Fatemeh Sepehri has been allowed only two hours of outdoor time per day, and only under the supervision of a prison guard. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='66511'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1884247799589392856'> The brother of Fatemeh Sepehri and Mohammad Hossein Sepehri announced in a statement that both siblings have been formally charged by Branch 905 of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Mashhad. They are facing charges of insulting the Supreme Leader and propaganda against the regime, and their final defense statements have been recorded. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='67016'> <reference source='https://www.instagram.com/p/DGV0f3Wx5v4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link'> Ali Sepehri, brother of Fatemeh Sepehri, shared an update on Instagram regarding her latest medical condition. He reported that Fatemeh Sepehri has recently experienced blurred vision, severe weakness, and excessive sweating. According to the post, on January 8, 2025, she was transferred from Vakilabad Prison to a hospital for an examination by a hand surgeon. During the visit, after administering an injection to her shoulder, the specialist stated that she should begin ten sessions of physiotherapy one week later, and return for a follow-up appointment one month afterward. However, nearly a month has passed, and neither the physiotherapy sessions have been carried out nor has the follow-up visit with the specialist taken place. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='67232'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1898755889051410832'> The brother of Fatemeh Sepehri and Mohammad Hossein Sepehri announced on the social media platform X that their court session regarding the charges against them was held via video conference at the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad. He stated that the charges brought against them were insulting the Supreme Leader and propaganda against the regime. The presiding judge, Hossein Yazdankhah, reportedly refused to allow them legal representation, thereby denying their right to legal defense. Asghar Sepehri added that a joint statement published by Fatemeh and Mohammad Hossein Sepehri has been cited by the court as evidence for the charges filed against them. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='67534'> <reference source='https://www.hra-news.org/2025/hranews/a-53887/'> According to a report by HRANA, Fatemeh Sepehri and Mohammad Hossein Sepehri were each sentenced by Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to: 2 years and 6 months in prison for the charge of insulting the Supreme Leader, and 1 year and 3 months in prison for the charge of propaganda against the regime. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which allows for the enforcement of the severest sentence in cases involving multiple charges, only the longer sentence—2 years and 6 months—will be enforceable. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='68274'> <reference source='https://x.com/AsgharSepehri/status/1919235853043298545'> Her brother wrote on the social media platform X that the ban on phone calls and family visits for Fatemeh Sepehri is still in effect. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='68405'> <reference source='https://tinyurl.com/bddsj2jt'> IranWire reported that Fatemeh Sepehri was transferred to the hospital with alarming symptoms and a blood pressure reading of 5 (systolic). Despite her critical condition, she was returned to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad after spending just one night in the hospital. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>
• <coverage-outsourcing id='68406'> <reference source='https://tinyurl.com/bddsj2jt'> According to IranWire, following this deterioration in her condition, Fatemeh Sepehri was transferred to the hospital due to severe chest pain and intense heart palpitations. </reference> </coverage-outsourcing>