Soheila Mataie

On 21 June 2026, civil activist Sohaila Motaei from Dehgolan was released from the Sanandaj Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre under electronic monitoring.

Reports indicate that on 13 June 2026, Sohaila Motaei was arrested and transferred to the Sanandaj Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre to serve her prison sentence. This arrest followed her summons to the enforcement branch of the Dehgolan Prosecutor's Office.

Earlier, a court session regarding another indictment against Sohaila Motaei was held on 24 May 2025, and the verdict was communicated to her on 17 June 2025. She was sentenced to three months of imprisonment and three years of suspended imprisonment for "propaganda in favour of groups or organisations opposing the Islamic Republic of Iran."

In another part of the same case, on 20 December 2025, Sohaila Motaei was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and three years of suspended imprisonment for "propaganda against the regime."

Sohaila Motaei was arrested on 11 March 2025 in connection with "organising International Women's Day ceremonies" in Sanandaj. After undergoing interrogation and being charged, she was released on bail on 18 March 2025.

Previously, this civil activist was arrested on 1 October 2022 and released on bail on 17 October 2022. Subsequently, on 5 December 2022, she was convicted on charges including "disturbing public order," "propaganda against the regime," "spreading false information to disturb public opinion," "disobedience to officers," and "propaganda in favour of hostile groups and organisations against the regime."

Charges such as "propaganda against the regime," "disturbing public opinion," and "disobedience to officers" brought against Sohaila Motaei are recognised as tools for suppressing dissent and civil activists in Iran.