University of Tehran student and women’s rights activist Azadeh Forghani, is facing new charges after receiving a two-year probationary sentence from the revolutionary court earlier this month.

In an interview with Rooz, Forghani, who is also a member of the One-Million Signature Campaign Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws, said, “Last week, a summons was dropped in my mailbox, and even though I received it a few days later, I still went to the special office for security at Tehran’s revolutionary court.”

“I was interrogated in that office,” said Forghani. “The questions were extremely insulting, and in my opinion, were no different than the ones asked of me by security officers during my stay at Evin Prison.” This university student continued, “During the interrogations they told me that my new charge was acting against national security by attending an illegal gathering without a permit, by which they meant the March 4 gathering.”

“Also,” continued Forghani, “in a phone call last Sunday, they asked me to go to the revolutionary court. My lawyer did that and my two-year probation verdict was announced to him verbally. No written or official verdict has been passed down to me or my lawyer yet.”

Criticizing the judiciary’s handling of her case, Forghani said, “They always repeat that this is a security issue. They look at women’s rights issues from a security perspective, and justify not raising official charges by bringing up national security.”

Commenting on her new charge, Forghani continued, “My two year sentence is probationary, and maybe their aim in adding another charge against me to prevent me from being freed. On the other hand, I think that they want to use scare tactics to force us to change our views and turn into ‘good girls’.”

“One can’t be silent and passive,” added Forghani. “I have already clarified my position and would not retreat from it. It is clear that I cannot live for five years under the razor. And two years in prison cannot make me give up my views. One can’t stay still, but they are trying to eliminate the movement.”

Responding to charges that the women’s movement is pursuing a silent overthrow of the regime, Forghani said, “This is a very funny charge that officials have brought up lately. I have already said in my interrogations that even the charge of acting against national security is an insult to women and the women’s movement. We are all Iranians. The women have nothing to do with undermining national security. The women’s movement is even shying away from discussions over any deep social issues, let alone political arguments.”