Ghoncheh Ghavami, 25, is the latest victim of Sharia law and the denial of basic rights to women in some Muslim countries. Ghavami has been in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison for over 40 days after committing the unpardonable sin of try to enter a stadium to watch the Iranian national men’s team was playing Italy. She was part of a large group of women who simply wanted to be able to watch a soccer game but under Sharia law in Iran it is a crime for women to even be at a sporting match with men. The world community has gone to Facebook and other social media sites to demand her release but she continues to languish in a prison known for its torture and raping of inmates.
Ghavami was released after the arrest at the stadium but then arrested again when she went to the police station to collect her belongings a few days later. She studied law in London and has dual Iranian and British nationality.
Iranian women have been protesting for years to be allowed into stadium. They are barred even when women from other countries like Korea are allowed into the stadium.
Evin is a particularly frightful place for dissidents and civil libertarians. It has been used for journalists and human rights activists who have asserted their rights of free speech or equality.
Source: Independent
