Zohreh Sarv

According to Human Rights in Iran, on Sunday, June 25, 2023, Zohreh Sarv, an Instagram activist and political prisoner held in Evin Prison, who is suffering from two illnesses, has been prevented by Evin Prison officials from being transferred to a specialized medical center and is deprived of her basic right to treatment. This political prisoner was also recently subjected to unofficial interrogation by the Ministry of Intelligence with the charge of "propaganda against the regime."

A knowledgeable source told the Human Rights Reporter in Iran: "While Zohreh Sarv is suffering from a women's internal disease and also experiencing weakness and fatigue in her joints, especially her knees, despite this severe physical condition since May 1, 2023, Evin Prison officials have been delaying her transfer to the hospital under any pretext, only telling her that they are following up, but her physical condition is very severe, and she must be transferred to a specialized medical center."

In mid-April 2023, Zohreh Sarv was facing a new case formation by the Ministry of Intelligence with the charge of "propaganda against the regime through managing an Instagram page."

It is noteworthy that on September 3, 2022, Zohreh Sarv was transferred for the first time from Evin Prison to Taleghani Hospital in Tehran and returned to prison after completing part of the treatment process. She was again transferred to the same hospital on September 10, 2022, for another part of her treatment process and returned to Evin Prison. However, on January 24, 2023, under the pretext of being sent to the medical center again, she was subjected to beatings and violent behavior and transferred to solitary confinement in Hall 9 of Qarchak Varamin Prison. After 18 days, she was moved to Hall 8 of that prison in a separate room and on May 1, 2023, along with several other political prisoners, was transferred to Evin Prison.

On August 18, 2022, Human Rights in Iran published a report detailing the deprivation of this political prisoner's right to treatment and the prevention by Evin Prison officials of her transfer to a medical center.

Zohreh Sarv was arrested on December 24, 2019, following a raid by the Sarallah Headquarters agents associated with the IRGC Intelligence on charges of "activities in cyberspace and managing an Instagram page." She was transferred to Ward 1A and, after interrogation and being informed of her charges, was moved to Qarchak Varamin Prison on January 11, 2020.

During the prosecution process, Zohreh Sarv was charged with "possession of alcoholic beverages" by the Criminal Court Branch 2 of Tehran Province and sentenced to a fine and 74 lashes.

In the second part of her judicial case, by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Iman Afshari, she was sentenced to a total of 8 years of imprisonment for "insulting the leadership," "propaganda against the regime," and "assembly and collusion with the intent to act against national security." As a supplementary punishment, she was also sentenced to 4 months of effective activity in the Basij and the study and interpretation of Surah Al-Hujurat. After being confirmed by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals, this sentence was reduced to 5 years of mandatory imprisonment.

On April 5, 2021, Zohreh Sarv was sent on leave after her flogging sentence for the charge of "possession of alcoholic beverages" was executed. Previously, her flogging sentence had been converted to a fine, and after paying the fine and submitting the payment receipt, the case was declared closed.