Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has received an additional seven-and-a-half years sentence imposed by an Iranian court following her recent arrest for alleged provocative remarks made during a memorial ceremony. According to her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, the charges included six years for gathering and collusion and one-and-a-half years for propaganda activities.
The 53-year-old activist was arrested in December 2024 and was reported to have suffered physical abuse during the arrest, with her family stating she was taken to the hospital afterward due to injuries. Mohammadi has been an outspoken advocate against female oppression in Iran, earning her the Nobel Prize in 2023.
Following this latest ruling, Nili has expressed grave concerns regarding her client's health, as Mohammadi has reportedly begun a hunger strike since February 2nd. She was earlier placed under a two-year travel ban and two years of exile to Khusf, further restricting her ability to advocate for change.
The Narges Foundation, which supports her efforts, described the court proceedings as a sham and condemned the Iranian authorities for their oppressive measures. Mohammadi's husband, Taghi Rahmani, criticized the judiciary's legitimacy and the pre-determined nature of the trials against political prisoners. Mohammadi's plight has sparked significant attention from international human rights organizations, calling for her immediate release and denouncing the harsh sentences placed on her for her activism.
Throughout her overall history, Mohammadi has already served over a decade in prison, with her cumulative sentences now amounting to 44 years, reflecting the ongoing struggles many activists face in Iran amidst a tumultuous political landscape.
