Legal Woes and Confinement

Tabar’s activities ignited widespread perplexity among her audience. She was arrested in October 2019 for allegedly sharing blasphemous content on Instagram. Moreover, she was charged with unlawful property acquisition, incitement of violence, negatively influencing young people, generating income through unsuitable means, and breaching the country’s stringent dress code for women.

Consequently, Tabar received a ten-year prison sentence, a harsh punishment for a young woman, and was incarcerated in Qarchak Prison, renowned for being one of Iran’s most severe women’s prisons.

A Plea to Angelina Jolie

Upon learning about Sahar Tabar’s predicament, Iranian activist Masih Alinejad took to social media to draw attention to her case. Alinejad reached out to Angelina Jolie, appealing for her assistance and use of her influential platform to support Tabar’s cause. Alinejad implored, “Sahar Tabar is only 19. Her joke landed her in jail. Her mother weeps every day, hoping for her innocent daughter’s release. Dear Angelina Jolie, we need your voice here. Help us.”

After a 14-month prison term, Tabar was eventually freed. Her release coincided with the death of Mahsa Amini, another young woman arrested and assaulted by Iranian police for inadequately wearing her hijab.