An Iranian woman who became known as a “Zombie Angelina Jolie” lookalike has jailed after sharing creepy pictures online.
Sahar Tabar, 19, has sentenced to 10 years in prison, her lawyer said.
However, the woman, whose real name is Fatemeh Khishvand, became known on social media after sharing distorted pictures of herself in which she looked like the zombie version of Angelina Jolie.
She gained an Instagram following and arrested last year.
Tabar charged with corruption of young people and disrespect for the Islamic Republic.
She used make-up and Photoshop to post the pictures online, which she claimed she did “as a joke”.
PRISON SENTENCE
Tabar also denied reports that she had carried out surgery to look like Angelina Jolie.
“This is Photoshop and makeup. Every time I publish a photo, I paint my face in an increasingly funny way,” the 19-year-old said.
“It is a way of expressing yourself, a kind of art. My fans know that this is not my real face.
“I did not even think about being like Jolie. Also, I did not want to resemble the cartoon character the Corpse Bride.”
In April this year, she begged for freedom after contracting coronavirus, but the US-based Centre for Human Rights in Iran said that a request for bail denied by a judge.
“We find it unacceptable that this young woman has now caught the coronavirus in these circumstances while her detention order has been extended during all this time in jail,” Human rights lawyer Payam Derafshan said.
However, Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad said Tabar’s mum “cries every day to get her innocent daughter freed”.
Asked Angelina Jolie to help
She also called on Angelina Jolie to intervene and help the young woman to be freed.
Furthermore, in a separate video, the journalist said: “The Islamic Republic has a history of tormenting women.
“We need to be united against this gender apartheid.”
10 years jail for Iranian Instagramer who used make up & Photoshop to become a zombie Angelina Jolie.
Sahar Tabar is only 19. Her joke landed her in jail. Her mother cries every day to get her innocent daughter freed. Dear Angelina Jolie! we need your voice here. Help us. pic.twitter.com/0QTzSv2c5v— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) December 11, 2020
I call on Angelina Jolie to help an Iranian 19-year-old girl who received 10 years prison sentence for using makeup & Photoshop to turn herself into Angelina.
Islamic Republic has a history of tormenting women. We need to be united against this gender apartheid pic.twitter.com/Z5Y8yMsY76— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) December 11, 2020
Following her arrest last year, Tabar interviewed on state television. She expressed regret over the posts, though many felt she had coerced into the appearance.
“My mother was telling me to stop, but I didn’t listen,” she said.
“Sometimes the words of a stranger or a friend can be more important than those of a parent.”