Iran

Iran's highest court overturned the death sentence of a woman labor rights activist who was accused of links to an outlawed Kurdish group, local media reported Saturday.

"The Supreme Court ... has overturned the verdict against my client, Ms. Sharifeh Mohammadi," her lawyer Amir Raisian was quoted as saying by the reformist Shargh daily newspaper.

He added that the case was referred for a re-trial.

In response to the Supreme Court's annulment of Mohammadi's death sentence, the campaign to defend Mohammadi released a statement demanding "the complete acquittal of Sharifeh Mohammadi from all charges and her immediate, unconditional release."

The statement emphasized that the reversal of Mohammadi's death sentence was the outcome of a collective effort involving labor unions, teachers, trade organizations, students, retirees from both Iran and abroad, as well as human rights groups and media outlets.

The statement underscores that the annulment of Mohammadi's death sentence does not erase the oppression, abuse, and the suffering endured by her, her child, her mother, her husband, and her entire family.

Mohammadi, 45, was sentenced to death in early July following her arrest in December 2023 by the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Rasht on charges of "rebellion," according to rights groups.

She's accused of being a member of the Komala party, an exiled Iraq-based Kurdish separatist group that Tehran considers a terrorist organization.

Tehran accused Kurdish groups in Iraq of fomenting monthslong nationwide mass protests triggered by the September 2022 death in custody of Mahsa Amini.

Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, died following her arrest over an alleged violation of the Islamic Republic's strict dress code for women.

The statement from Mohammadi's defenders goes on to assert, "We will persist, with clarity and determination, in our fight and organizing efforts for Sharifeh Mohammadi's unconditional release."

Mohammadi's supporters also note that complaints regarding her torture and the violation of her fundamental rights — including her rights to association and freedom of expression — are being actively pursued in international forums.

This report originated from VOA's Persian Service. Some information used in this story was provided by Agence France-Presse.

Iran has sent two locally made satellites to Russia to be put into orbit by a Russian space vehicle, the semi-official news agency Tasnim reported Saturday, in the latest space cooperation between the two U.S.-sanctioned countries.

The development of Kowsar, a high-resolution imaging satellite, and Hodhod, a small communications satellite, is the first substantial effort by Iran's private space sector, the report said.

Russia sent Iranian satellites into orbit in February and in 2022, when U.S. officials voiced concern over space cooperation between Russia and Iran, fearing the satellite will not only help Russia in Ukraine but also help Iran monitor potential military targets in Israel and the wider Middle East.

Kowsar could be used in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental monitoring and disaster management, Tasnim said. Hodhod is designed for satellite-based communications and could be used in remote areas with little access to terrestrial networks.

In September, Iran carried out its second satellite launch this year using a rocket built by its Revolutionary Guards. The launch came as the United States and European countries accuse Tehran of transferring ballistic missiles to Russia that could be used in its war with Ukraine. Iran has denied this.