An Iranian activist against the compulsory wearing of the Muslim veil has been summoned by the courts to serve a sentence of nearly four years in prison, local media reported on Saturday.
Sepideh Rashno, 29, was held for more than a month in July 2022 after she was involved in an argument with another woman who accused her of removing her veil on a bus.
According to the reformist daily Sazandegui, judicial authorities told Sepideh Rashno that she must report to prison in the coming days to begin serving the sentence of three years and 11 months.
Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, wearing a veil in Iran has been mandatory for all women who have to hide their hair in public places.
The activist's lawyer announced in December that the appeal court had upheld the verdict of his client, who was sentenced to prison “for the incident on the bus” and for “publishing indecent images” online.
After the incident, Sepideh Rashno posted photos of herself without a veil on Instagram as well as texts against the strict dress code for women.
In recent months, more and more women have appeared in public places without veils, especially after the protest movement sparked by the death in custody in September 2022 of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for violating the strict dress code.
Her death led to protests against Iranian political and religious leaders, with the young woman becoming a symbol of the fight against compulsory veiling.
Several hundred people, including police, were killed and thousands were arrested in the demonstrations that took place in October and November and then subsided. Nine men were executed for their involvement in the movement, which authorities described as “riots” instigated by Western countries.