Kurdish woman in Iran sentenced to 50 lashes for referendum

[Anthea]

Kurdish woman in Iran sentenced to 50 lashes for referendum rally

A Kurdish woman in Iran has been sentenced to receive 50 lashes for participating in street celebrations for the Kurdistan Region independence referendum.

Zamaneh Zivia was sentenced to 50 lashes and fined 1.8 million tomans (about $500) for “disrupting public order,” the France-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) reported on Tuesday.

Zivia is in her final year of law at Payam-e-Noor University of Saqez. She was arrested at her home on November 6 on charges of “attempts against national security, participation in illegal gatherings and disturbing public order,” the rights monitor reported, citing an informed source.

Her lawyer has appealed the verdict.

Thousands of Kurds in Iran took to the streets in rare demonstrations, expressing solidarity with their fellow Kurds voting for independence across the border. Scores were arrested.

Among those arrested were young men charged with disrupting public order after playing loud music in their vehicles.

Farhad Hadi, journalist and editor of Dangi Kurdistan Weekly, was held for two days after the publication of the October 5 edition of his paper that focused on Kurdistan independence. He was interrogated about the content of his paper, KHRN reported.

On their release, some of those arrested stated they had been tortured.

Iran opposed the Kurdistan referendum, deeming it unconstitutional.

Kurds represent almost half of all political prisoners in Iran, according to the United Nations.

http://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iran/12122017

[Anthea]

Shocking news but sadly not a surprise and similar to Turkey's treatment of Kurds a few years ago

There was a time in Turkey - not so many years ago - that when Kurds protested only one or two members of the same family would join in the protest because of the likelihood of them being arrested - or worse