Change for Equality:: According to a report by the human rights news agency, HERANA Shahnaz Gholami a journalist and women’s rights activist in Azarbaijan, was sentenced to 8 years of mandatory prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Courts. According to the report by HERANA, Gholami was charged with publication of lies, spreading of propaganda against the state and membership in the MKO, an armed opposition group based outside the country, through cooperation with HOMA news agency.

Gholami’s sentence is issued despite the fact that she left Iran approximately a year ago to seek asylum. Currently she resides in Turkey with her daughter and has denied any connection or relationship with the MKO.