Change for Equality -- The Thirteenth Branch of the Revolutionary Courts has issued a suspended sentence of 6 months and 10 lashings in the case of Nahid Jafari, women's rights activist and member of the One Million Signatures Campaign, who was arrested along with 32 other women's rights activist on March 4, 2007. Jafari was charged with and tried on security charges which included: illegal gathering and collusion intended to disrupt national security, disruption of public order and refusal to adhere to the orders of the police.

Nahid Jafari was found guilty of illegal gathering and collusion intended to disrupt national security. Jafari, along with her lawyer, Zohreh Arzani, intends to appeal this sentence.

During her arrest, Jafari was beaten and suffered injuries as a result. She later lodged a complaint against arresting officers, for excessive use of force and the injuries she received. Her complaint against arresting officers has yet to be taken up by the courts.

Nahid Jafari is the fourth person to receive a sentence with respect to the March 4, 2007 protest in front of the Revolutionary Courts. Prior to this, Minou Mortazi and Nasrin Afzali, both women's rights activists, had received similar suspended sentences of 6 months and 10 lashings. Zeynab Payghambarzadeh, a women's rights activist and member of the One Million Signatures Campaign, received a 2 year suspended sentence on the same charges. These four women have been found guilty and have received suspended sentences, while at least 12 of the 33 women charged in this same case, have been acquitted of charges. All four women plan to appeal their sentences.

... Payvand News - 05/03/08 ...