Bahareh Soleimani
Age: 47
Activities/Rights: Women’s rights
Status: Released
Judicial status: Pardoned
Violations: Arbitrary arrest and detention, prolonged solitary confinement, access to lawyer, lack of due process, unfair trial, denial of medical care
Bahareh Soleimani is a workers and women’s rights activist who was arrested on 16 October 2020 and transferred to Ward 2A of Evin Prison where she was held until early February 2021 before being transferred to the women’s ward. Her parents’ home was searched for two hours, causing her father who suffers from heart and lung issues from the Iran-Iraq War to become unwell. Bahareh herself also suffers from lung problems due to her work in the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bahareh was released on bail on 24 February. On 4 August 2021, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Bahareh to six years imprisonment for “participating in the running of an illegal group” and eight months for “propaganda against the system.” Shortly after Bahareh’s lawyer, Mostafa Nili was arrested on 14 August 14 2021, his client case files including that of Bahareh, were found scattered outside Evin Prison. She began serving her sentence on 2 January 2022 with her health deteriorating as she was denied access to adequate medical treatment. The Forensic Medical Organisation continuously refused to accept evidence that she was not fit to serve her sentence. Bahareh was released from prison on 14 February 2023 after being included in the general amnesty list.