Maryam Abbasi-Nikoo is the mother of Bita Shafii, a student who protested the poisoning of students. On June 26, 2023, security forces raided their home and, upon realizing that Bita was not present, physically assaulted her father and detained her mother, Maryam Abbasi-Nikou, in place of her daughter.
Now, after 52 days of uncertainty in prison and being deprived of basic rights, security authorities have brought charges of blasphemy against Maryam Abbasi-Nikou.
An informed source, in conversation with the Iran Human Rights Monitor, said,
“Maryam Abbasi-Nikoo is a resident of Shahin Shahr, Isfahan. On June 26, 2023, security forces arrested her at 11 p.m. by raiding her home. They told her family that they were taking her for a simple questioning session, and she would return home tomorrow.” According to the source, “Apparently, after searching her mobile phone, she was transferred to Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan, and her case is currently being handled by the third branch of Shahin Shahr’s interrogations office.” The source adds, “Based on the information we have obtained about the case, Maryam’s main charge is ‘insulting the Prophet’ due to her activities in the online space.” The informed source further states, “the case is in the preliminary investigation stage, and they have not allowed her chosen lawyer to be present. She was represented by a court-appointed lawyer.”
“Insulting the Prophet” is one of the criminal offenses in the current criminal laws of Iran, carrying the punishment of death. According to Article 262 of the Islamic Penal Code, anyone who insults or disrespects the Prophet of Islam or any of the great prophets (Noah, Jesus, Moses, and Abraham) is charged with “insulting the Prophet” and sentenced to death.
A few months ago, Yusuf Mehrdad and Sadrallah Fazeli-zare were executed in Iran on the same charge on May 8, 2023. The life of Maryam Abbasi-Nikou is in danger.
Maryam Abbasi-Nikou was born in 1981 and is the mother of a 17-year-old daughter, Bita Shafii, and a 7-year-old son. Bita Shafii is a courageous 17-year-old girl who threw tear gas canisters back at the oppressive security forces during a protest gathering against chemical attacks on schools. She bravely stood against interrogators and judges in court. During her detention, interrogators broke her middle finger, but she was eventually released after some time.
