Imprisoned human rights defender Nasrin Sotoudeh

Nasrin Sotoudeh is a human rights lawyer in Iran who has been given a prison sentence of eleven years and banned from working as a lawyer or leaving the country for twenty years. This sentence has been given to her, not for any criminal activity but as a result of her peaceful human rights work. She was accused of 'spreading propaganda' and 'conspiring to harm state security'. Nasrin has represented many defenders opposed to the current regime in Iran. She has also worked extensively with young prisoners who have been sentenced to death for crimes they committed when they were under 18.

Further Information

On 4 September, Nasrin Sotoudeh, was summoned to appear in court at Evin prison on charges of “propaganda against the state” and “collusion and gathering with the aim of acting against national security”. She has been detained since. In protest at her detention Nasrin has undertaken several hunger strikes. Nasrin has recently come off her latest hunger strike which lasted 45 days.

Prior to her arrest, Nasrin had reported harassment on the part of the authorities. On 28 August 2010 her home and office were searched, and her assets were frozen. On 1 September, she described how the authorities were creating falsified allegations of tax irregularities against human rights lawyers as a means to impede them from carrying out their human rights work.

In January 2010, Nasrin was reportedly threatened with arrest if she continued to speak publicly about the cases for which she acted as defence, following her criticism of the execution of a juvenile offender whom she had defended.

Nasrin was sentenced on 9th January 2010.