Iranian artist goes on trial for cartoon mocking draft law
An artist and political activist has gone on trial in Iran for a cartoon criticising draft laws which would restrict access to birth control.
The image by Atena Farghadani depicted MPs casting votes on the proposed legislation as animals.
Ms Farghadani, 28, faces charges of spreading propaganda, insulting MPs, and insulting the supreme leader.
The laws would end decades of family planning in Iran, outlawing vasectomies and restricting contraception.
Ms Farghadani was first arrested in August 2014, when her home was raided by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, and taken to Gharchak prison.
She was released in December but was rearrested again in January after posting a video online in which she alleged that she had been beaten by prison guards and interrogated for up to nine hours a day.
Three weeks after being rearrested, Ms Farghadani went on hunger strike to protest against conditions at the prison. She was taken to hospital in late February after suffering a heart attack and briefly losing consciousness.
She has since been held in solitary confinement in Tehran's Evin Prison.
'Prisoner of conscience'
Raha Bahreini, an Iran researcher for Amnesty International, told the BBC: "We are very concerned that Atena has even been put on trial.
"She is a prisoner of conscience and she has been held solely because of her opinions and for exercising the right to free expression.
"From our point of view, she must be released immediately and unconditionally."
Ms Bahreini said that the trial might be as short as just one day. If convicted of all charges, Ms Farghadani could face up to two years' imprisonment and lashes.
Your can sign petition here:
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/actions/free-atena-farghadani-iran-prison-drawing-cartoons-artist