Warisheh Moradi (Joanna Sine), an imprisoned Kurdish political activist and member of the Free Women’s Society of East Kurdistan (KJAR), on 16 May was tried for the second time at the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran. After 322 days of detention under harsh conditions, repeated interrogations, and two inconclusive trials, Moradi remains in legal limbo.
According to a source close to Moradi’s family, Moradi faced accusations of “membership in one of the opposition groups against the Iranian state” and being a “baaghi” (rebel), in both the first and second hearings. Judge Salvati did not allow Moradi’s lawyer to defend their client, an action considered a violation of the defendant’s rights.
According to local sources in the Kurdish-majority region of Iran (Rojhilat), two weeks ago her initial trial session was postponed due to the judge’s decision for additional interrogations and the absence of Judge Amoui, resulting in further delays. The outcome of yesterday’s court session has not yet been communicated to Moradi.
According to her relatives, months of interrogation and mental and physical torture have severely worsened Moradi’s health, requiring urgent specialised medical treatment and physiotherapy. Iran Human Rights Agency (HRANA) previously reported on Moradi’s deteriorating condition, highlighting that, on Judge Salvati’s order Moradi faced restrictions on phone calls, family visits, and access to her lawyer.
خبرگزاری هرانا | جلسه دادگاه رسیدگی به اتهامات وریشه مرادی برگزار شد – خبرگزاری هرانا (hra-news.org)
The charges against Moradi have heightened concerns among human rights activists about the possibility of a severe sentence. In response, civil activists launched a petition to draw attention to her case both in Iran and internationally.
The petition states: “Due to the enforced disappearance of Comrade Joanna Sine by the forces of the IRGC Intelligence Organisation and the Ministry of Intelligence, we hold the Islamic Republic of Iran responsible for endangering her life. We call on public opinion, the UN special rapporteur on human rights, and international human rights organisations to take urgent action regarding the forced disappearance of Comrade Joanna and the fabricated charges against her.”
وریشه مرادی کجاست؟ | Daadkhast?
Human rights organisations have expressed grave concern over the assignment of Judge Salavati to Moradi’s case. Leading Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court for two decades, Salavati has gained notoriety in Iran as a judge known for imposing severe sentences, including death penalties, on charges such as “warfare”, “corruption in the land” and “sedition”. Over the past three years, he has handed down three death sentences and sentenced defendants to a total of 1,500 years in prison.
Moradi, originating from Sanandaj (Sine) in Rojhilat, was apprehended by security officers on August 31, near Sine. Since then, she has been detained without access to legal counsel. Initially held at the Intelligence Directorate’s prison in the city, she was subsequently moved, under strict security protocols, to Ward 209 of Tehran’s Evin Prison, designated for detainees deemed a security risk.
The treatment of women activists by the Iranian regime has entered a new phase following the Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Woman, Life, Freedom) uprising. This includes the imposition of a 21-year prison sentence on women’s rights activist Jina Modares GeorJi, and the advancement of cases involving 12 women’s rights and political activists in Gilan province to the execution of court judgements in northern Iran.
According to reports from women’s rights advocates, on June 13 the appeals court of Gilan province upheld previous rulings without conducting a new trial. Consequently, these women activists have been collectively sentenced to a total of 60 years in prison.
