Women's rights activist Delaram Ali, who was sentenced earlier this year to 28 months of prison for participating in a peaceful gathering last spring, told Rooz in an exclusive interview that she was surprised by the sentence against her and a court judgment that found police officers accused of beating and assaulting her as not guilty.
Asked if she suspected that a lengthy prison sentence would be cut for her, Delaram Ali said, "I did have this suspicion, because of the contacts that were made by security officers in the past few days, especially their second call, which was very threatening. I knew that I was headed for prison, but didn't know how or for how long."
Commenting on the calls she received from security officers, Delaram Ali said, "In their last call, they told me that if I didn't show up at the prison, I would be arrested and intimidated."
When asked how she felt after she was given the court sentence, Delaram Ali responded, "I had thought about prison after the lower court issued its sentence, and before it was upheld by the higher court. I think that this is part of the struggle that women have embarked on. And since the government is threatened by our movement, prison is part of that struggle. I think that this movement, which is propelled forth through multiple campaigns, will not be silenced because one or two people are in prison; actually, women's rights activists will become more passionate and determined, because one of their colleagues is behind bars. Women now know that their colleagues are in prison, and in order to achieve their goals, they must not allow their voice to be silenced."
Delaram Ali also complained about irregularities in her trial: "In general, cases like mine do not follow standard procedure. During this entire time they did not issue a summons or court orders to me in writing. They prefer not to issue anything in writing because what they are doing is not lawful. They issue an oral verdict and implement it."
Delaram Ali's family members have announced that they fully support her in her struggle: "Obviously my family was saddened by the court judgment, but they see themselves as participants in this struggle as well. Whenever necessary, they will stand by activists struggling for women’s rights. No matter how things eventually play out, they will be beside me and support me."
This women's rights activist, whose 28-month prison sentence caught many by surprise, said that she will begin her sentence on Saturday: "On Saturday I will report to prison. They have not officially announced it but they have told me to do that. Since I have to spend a period of time in prison, even if they don't give me that right, I give myself the right to take care of some personal matters before beginning my prison sentence."
