Women protesters sentenced to jail

Published April 19, 2007

TEHRAN: An Iranian court has sentenced to prison two female activists who attended a banned rally last June to demand greater women's rights, an Iranian news agency reported on Wednesday.

About 100 women protested in central Tehran against unequal inheritance laws, the difficulties women in Iran face getting a divorce, and the fact that their court testimony is worth half that of men.

Fariba Davoudi Mohajer received a four-year jail term, but three years of the sentence were suspended, lawyer Mohammad Sharif was quoted as saying by the Iranian Students News Agency.

Co-accused Sousan Tahmaseb was sentenced to two years, with 18 months suspended, her lawyer Mohammadali Dadkhah said.

Sharif said Mohajer would appeal, meaning she will remain free until the process is complete.

About 70 women were detained during the protest, but it was not immediately clear whether others had also been convicted.—Reuters

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