Kurdish political activist Verisheh Moradi sentenced to death in Iran

TEHRAN,— Verisheh Moradi, a Kurdish political activist from Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhelat), has been sentenced to death by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, as reported by the France-based non-profit organization, Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN).

Moradi, a member of the East Kurdistan Free Women Society (KJAR), which is affiliated with the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), was convicted on charges of “armed insurrection” (baghi), a crime associated with attempting to challenge the government.

The ruling, handed down by Judge Abolghassem Salavati of Branch 15, followed two court sessions on June 16 and October 5, 2024. Moradi’s legal team was officially informed of the death sentence on November 10, 2024.

During the trial, Moradi was denied the opportunity to defend herself, and her lawyers were prevented from presenting a defense. In addition, the lawyers were initially denied access to the case file and only granted limited time to review the evidence after the second hearing.

This harsh ruling contradicts previous legal guidelines. An earlier indictment had referred to Article 288 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, which typically carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years for members of armed groups arrested before engaging in actual combat. However, in an unusual and controversial move, Judge Salavati invoked Article 287, which allows the death penalty for those accused of leading armed resistance against the state.

Moradi’s case highlights the broader issue of systemic discrimination against the Kurdish population in Iran. A member of the East Kurdistan Free Women Society (KJAR), Moradi was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence on August 1, 2023, while returning to Sne (Sanandaj) from Kermanshan in Iranian Kurdistan, where she had been involved in political activities.

Since 2004, PJAK has been actively fighting for the rights of Kurds in Iran, advocating for autonomy and cultural freedom. The group has more than 3,000 members, with nearly half of them being women.

PJAK is linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a left-wing militant organization that fights for greater political rights and recognition of Kurdish culture. The Kurdish population in Iranian Kurdistan, which numbers over 12 million, has long faced discrimination in multiple areas, including education, employment, and political participation. Kurdish names are banned from official use, and religious minorities, many of whom are Kurdish, face targeted persecution.

The Islamic regime has systematically marginalized Kurds since it came to power in 1979, subjecting them to policies that restrict their cultural and political rights. The situation for Kurds in Iran remains dire, with widespread poverty and limited opportunities contributing to their continued marginalization.