A writer who was facing the death sentence in Iran for backing anti-regime protests has been jailed for five years and five months.

Accused Mozhgan Kavossi had been found guilty of assembly and collusion, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran, and propaganda against the regime by the Revolutionary Court of Sari in Mazandaran Province.

The court acquitted her of spreading corruption on earth, which can carry the death penalty.

The verdict may be appealed.

Researcher, translator, and writer Mozhgan was seized by security forces at her family home in Nowshahr on 22nd September.

She was interrogated and sent to the grim Tonekabon Prison on remand on 27th October.

She was transferred to Qaem Shahr Prison on 16th December.

She alleges that while in prison, she was subjected to a full strip-search and was verbally humiliated.

Mozhgan is an ethnic Kurd and a follower of the Yarsan religion.

Kurds and Yarsani widely report suffering discrimination in Iran, whose ruling elite are mostly Persian and Shia Muslim.

Mozhgan is also a former political prisoner.

She was released from Kachouei Prison, Karaj Province, in January 21 months through her three-year sentence for propaganda against the state, inciting people to disrupt public order, and membership in anti-state groups.

She has been involved in minority and language rights activism.

Protests broke out in Iran on 16th September after morality police fatally beat 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini for wearing her hijab “improperly”.

At least 476 protesters have been killed, while at least 100 are facing execution, or death-penalty charges or sentences, according to the non-profit Iran Human Rights.