Iranian Activist Appeals to Jolie for Help After Posting 'Skull Jolie' Selfie, Faces 10-Year Sentence for Seeking Fame

Her selfie posted on Tabar's Instagram
[Image source = Captured from Tabar's Instagram]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] An Iranian woman who gained fame after reportedly undergoing excessive plastic surgery inspired by the famous American actress Angelina Jolie and ending up with a grotesque face due to side effects was arrested on charges of blasphemy, violating Islamic dress codes, and inciting violence, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. This sparked a rescue campaign criticizing the authorities' excessive punishment and calling for her release.

On the 17th, major foreign media reported that Iranian prominent journalist and activist Masi Alinejad launched a rescue campaign for Instagram star Sahar Tabar (23, real name Fatemeh Kishband), who was arrested by the authorities.

Through social media, Alinejad pointed out, "The Islamic Republic of Iran has a history of arresting women for dancing or singing, removing the chador or hijab imposed on them, going to playgrounds, engaging in modeling activities, or even just using Photoshop as in this case."

She continued, "I appeal to Jolie," saying, "Please help the 19-year-old girl who was sentenced to 10 years in prison just for using makeup and Photoshop techniques to transform herself into Jolie."

Tavar's appearance before (left) and after plastic surgery. [Image source = Captured from Tavar's Instagram]

Earlier, Instagram influencer Tabar revealed that during her teenage years in 2017, she admired Jolie so much that she underwent dozens of plastic surgeries and lost 34 kg, sharing her photos on social media.

The photos Tabar posted showed a face with only bones left and makeup that accentuated these contours.

The grotesque appearance, reminiscent of a zombie, spread rapidly online. Locally, suspicions arose that she had not actually undergone plastic surgery but had manipulated the photos to appear as if she had an extreme appearance due to surgery. In response, she stated, "I had surgeries such as nose and lip fillers and liposuction, but I also relied on makeup and Photoshop."

Her real appearance on a program of an Iranian state-run broadcaster [Image source = Online community capture]

She appeared on a broadcast and said, "The image of me that people saw on Instagram was edited and manipulated, not real. I wanted to become famous from a young age, and becoming famous in cyberspace was much easier than becoming an actress." She added, "I did not try to look like Jolie. I was inspired by the animated film 'Corpse Bride.'"

She reflected, "When people saw my appearance and gave 'likes' and such enthusiastic reactions, I mistakenly thought I was doing the right thing."

The problem came next. The Iranian judiciary continued investigating her on charges of earning income through inappropriate means and promoting corruption among youth. In particular, her behavior of wearing a loosely worn hijab while fully exposing her surgically altered face was deemed blasphemous, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence. Her Instagram account was shut down, and she was soon incarcerated.

Major foreign media reported, "In Iran, where most social media is blocked, Instagram is the main means for local youth to express themselves online," adding, "Iranian authorities try to control messages that deviate from social norms and order, but since Instagram is also used effectively for business advertising and communication among citizens, they face a dilemma and cannot block it entirely."

Meanwhile, in Iran, the Shiite Islamic stronghold, many people besides Tabar are being arrested for inappropriate social media activities such as on Instagram. According to the 'Human Rights Activists in Iran' (HRAI) group based in the U.S., at least 322 people have been arrested since December 2016 for internet-related activities, of whom 109 were Instagram users.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.