Hana Human Rights Organization has learned that on Saturday, 20 December 2025, Soheila Mataei, a women’s rights activist from Dehgolan County, was sentenced by the Criminal Court of this county to three years of suspended imprisonment and six months of discretionary imprisonment on charges of “propaganda against the state” and “publishing materials in foreign media.”
According to an informed source, this sentence is related to a case stemming from her arrest following her participation in International Women’s Day events (8 March). The source added that during the judicial proceedings, Soheila Mataei was not allowed to file an appeal or request a retrial, and judicial authorities stated that if no action is taken, the case will be sent directly to the enforcement unit for implementation of the sentence.
Previously, on Sunday, 15 June 2025, in connection with another case, she had been sentenced by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Dehgolan to three months of discretionary imprisonment and three years of suspended imprisonment on charges of “propaganda in favor of groups or organizations opposing the Islamic Republic.”
This women’s rights activist had been arrested on the evening of Monday, 10 March 2025, in relation to her activities and participation in International Women’s Day events in Sanandaj County. She was detained by the Dehgolan Intelligence Department and released after about a week on bail.
It should be noted that Soheila Mataei has been arrested several times in recent years. In connection with her activities in the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” movement, she was previously arrested twice and sentenced by the Dehgolan Revolutionary Court to a total of 60 months in prison, but after serving several months of her sentence, she was granted a pardon and released.
Hana Human Rights Organization expresses deep concern over the continued judicial and security pressures against women’s rights activists. The issuance of prison sentences, denial of the right to defense, and the prevention of appeal and retrial constitute a clear violation of the principles of fair trial and the human rights obligations of the Islamic Republic of Iran.