URGENT UPDATE: Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced to an additional seven years in prison, her lawyer confirmed today. This sentence follows her ongoing hunger strike, which she initiated on February 2, 2024, in protest against her treatment.
The Revolutionary Court in Mashhad handed down the sentence on June 18, 2024, amid heightened tensions as Iran negotiates with the United States over its nuclear program. This development raises significant concerns regarding human rights in Iran, particularly as Mohammadi’s case highlights the regime’s crackdown on dissent.
According to her lawyer Mostafa Nili, Mohammadi received six years for “gathering and collusion against national security,” along with one and a half years for propaganda activities against the regime. Additionally, she faces a two-year travel ban and two years of internal exile to Khosf, approximately 460 miles southeast of Tehran.
Supporters of Mohammadi, aged 53, have been vocal about her dire situation. She was arrested in December 2023 while protesting at a ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi, a fellow human rights advocate. Video footage from the event showed her passionately demanding justice for Alikordi and others persecuted by the state.
Despite being granted a brief furlough for medical reasons in December 2024, her supporters have long feared that she would be re-incarcerated. Mohammadi has remained active in her advocacy during her time outside prison, participating in public protests and making appearances in international media.
While she was serving a prior sentence of 13 years and 9 months on charges of collusion and propaganda, Mohammadi has faced severe health challenges, including multiple heart attacks while imprisoned. In 2022, she underwent emergency surgery, and her lawyer recently disclosed concerns about a potential cancerous bone lesion that was later removed.
This latest sentence arrives as Iranian officials signal a hardening stance against dissent. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to uranium enrichment, a contentious issue amid ongoing negotiations with the U.S., especially following President Donald Trump’s military threats.
As this situation continues to unfold, supporters and international human rights organizations are calling for immediate action to ensure Mohammadi’s safety and freedom. The implications of her imprisonment resonate beyond Iran, underscoring the regime’s aggressive stance against those challenging its authority.
Stay tuned for updates as the international community reacts to this urgent situation and as supporters rally for Mohammadi’s release.
