HRD Nasrin Sotoudeh Amongst Dozens Detained at Armita Garavand’s Funeral

According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, more than 150 people were violently arrested at the funeral of 16-year-old Armita Garavand, who was killed on the metro by morality police. They were arrested at the Behesht Zahra Cemetery in Tehran and a private residence. Most of the detainees were released within hours but 34 people including human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh remain in detention and have been subjected to torture and ill-treatment. 17 women were transferred to Qarchak Prison and 17 men were transferred to the Greater Tehran Penitentiary (Fashafuyeh).

An informed source told Iran Human Rights: “At Armita Garavand’s funeral, security forces attacked Manzar Zarabi, a mother seeking justice for the Ukrainian place shot down by the IRGC. Nasrin went to prevent her being beaten when she herself was thrown to the ground and they began beating her too.”

On 30 October, IRGC-affliated Fars news agency claimed that Nasrin had been arrested for “taking hijab off and acting against society’s mental security.” This is while an informed source told IHRNGO that in the charge sheet, the charges are “assembly and collusion against national security” and “disobeying orders of an officer.”

Speaking about the arraignment hearing at Evin court, the informed source said: “On the morning of 30 October, some of the detainees from Armita’s funeral were taken to Evin court. Nasrin Sotoudeh and Manzar Zarabi were denied entry for refusing to wear the hijab. They were held in a van for hours and ultimately, the case investigator issued the charge sheet unlawfully and gave it to Nasrin inside the vehicle.” The lawyer complained about the unlawfulness of their action.

On the same day, 17 of the female detainees were transferred to Qarchak Prison and 17 of the men transferred to the Greater Tehran Penitentiary (Fashafuyeh).

According to the source, despite a bail of 500 million tomans being set for the women, Evin authorities are still refusing to accept bail.

Manzar Zarabi who was held in the van for hours with Nasrin Sotoudeh, passed out when they were transferring her to Qarchak. Per the source, they were forced to free her that afternoon as she was in terrible physical condition.