Prominent Civil Rights Activist Held Incommunicado In Prison
The prominent Iranian civil rights activists and lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh has once again been held incommunicado in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, her husband Reza Khandan disclosed in an interview with Radio Farda January 13.
"The prison authorities have held Nasrin incommunicado, after finding a small pair of scissors in her personal effects," Khandan reported.
Reza Khandan, who was recently released from Evin after months in custody, also told Radio Farda that because of the negligence of the prison authorities, the inmates have recently been forced to personally procure their foodstuff.
According to Mr. Khandan, Evin's authorities have decided to increase their pressure on female inmates to prevent leaks concerning the conditions in the prison.
Sotoudeh, 55, is the winner of numerous prestigious international awards, including PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write (2011), Southern Illinois University School of Law Rule of Law Citation (2011) AND Sakharov Prize (2012)
On 21 September 2018, she was also awarded the annual tribute for a lawyer, the 23rd Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize initially bestowed on Nelson Mandela in 1986 when in jail.
Nasrin Sotoudeh, outspoken opponent of the death penalty and compulsory hijab has been sentenced to five years prison.