Woman arrested in Iran for attending FIVB World League match still waiting for verdict

By Nick Butler

Ghoncheh Ghavami's lawyer has criticised delays in the announcement of a verdict following her arrest after attending an International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World League match in Iran in June.

The London law student has already spent over 100 days behind bars, including 41 in solitary confinement in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, after attending the match between Iran and Italy at the Azadi Stadium on June 20.

She is accused of spreading "propaganda against the regime" by the Islamic authorities, which extended a quarter-of-a-century-old law banning women attending football matches to volleyball in 2012.

Following a behind-closed-doors hearing on October 14 at Bureau 26 of Tehran's Court of Revolution, the 25-year-old was told she would spend another week in jail before a verdict was revealed.

Two weeks later, she is still awaiting this decision.

Speaking to the Iranian Labour News Agency, Ghavami's lawyer Alizadeh Tabatabae has complained that they are still to receive a verdict, despite the fact Iranian law requires a verdict to be issued within a week of the hearing.

He has been told by the court that the decision "has been submitted for typing and is in the process of being typed".

Tabatabae added: "Despite the provision of permit by the court for me to visit Ghoncheh, I have not been allowed by the prison authorities to visit my client, as if their executive powers overrule those of the court's.

"The sentence for my client's charge ranges from three months to one year.

"I anticipate that my client will be released on bail but I am still awaiting the verdict."

Iranian women cheered on the team at the FIVB World Championships in Poland, but are banned from attending matches in their own country ©Getty Images

The issue has provoked much outrage across the world in recent weeks, with an online petition submitted by Ghavami's London-based brother, Iman, entitled "Bring my sister home; #FreeGhonchehGhavami خواهرم را به خانه برگردانید" seeking to put pressure on Iran and other national Governments in an effort to secure her safe release.

It has been signed by more than 700,000.