American actress Angelina Jolie has expressed support for Iranian men and women standing up for fundamental freedoms and rights.
After Mahsa Amini, 22, died in the country’s morality police’s custody last September, the 48-year-old actress and humanitarian used Instagram to draw attention to the situation in Iran.
In addition to the words “Woman, Life, Freedom,” Jolie also posted a picture of a woman wearing transparent spectacles and having tears stream down her face in the colors of the Iranian flag.
‘Respect and solidarity to Iranian women and men for their courage in defending basic rights and freedoms, and thinking of those imprisoned or facing prosecution – as in other situations where freedom of expression is restricted or denied – including #ElahehMohammadi #NiloofarHamedi #NargesMohammadi #ToomajSalwhi,’ Jolie wrote in the caption for her roughly 14.5 million followers.
Elaheh Mohammadi, 36, who was incarcerated in September 2022 for covering Amini’s burial, was mentioned by Jolie in her hashtags. Hamedi, 30, was also put in jail for writing about Amini’s hospitalization and passing.
Iranian human rights advocate Narges Mohammadi, 51, is serving a 10-year prison term for “spreading anti-state propaganda” and has persisted in speaking out while imprisoned.
Iranian hip-hop singer Salehi, 32, was given a six-year prison term for taking part in the 2022 Iran demonstrations after Amini’s passing.