Female political prisoners incarcerated in Iran's notorious Evin prison have published a letter expressing concern about the issuance and execution of death sentences for those arrested during the recent anti-government protests.
Signed by Narges Mohammadi, Bahareh Hedayat, Saba Kordafshari, Sepideh Gholian, Fariba Asadi, Gelareh Abbasi, and other prisoners, the letter, published on December 12, emphasizes concerns over a sharp rise in the number of death sentences against protesters since Mahsa Amini died while in police custody in September. She was being held for allegedly wearing a head scarf improperly.
SEE ALSO: Iranian Father Learns Of Son's Death Sentence During Phone CallThe signatories of the letter announced that they will sit in the office of the prison warden to protest against the sentences and have asked the Iranian people to occupy the streets, chanting "No to execution," and to continue nationwide strikes with more power and inclusiveness to prevent the executions of other protest detainees and the further repression of the protesters.
Iran's judiciary has already executed two protesters -- Moshen Shekari and Majidreza Rahnavard -- with several others having been handed death sentences after what rights groups and the U.S. government have called "sham trials."
The 18 female political prisoners declared the execution of Shekari a "blatant crime" and called for an end to the government's "cycle of murder."
The executions and death sentences are part of the government's brutal, and often violent, crackdown on demonstrators. Lawmakers have pushed for harsh punishments to try and quell what has become the biggest challenge to the country's leadership since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
The activist HRANA news agency said that, as of November 29, at least 459 protesters have been killed during the unrest, including 64 minors, as security forces try to stifle widespread dissent.