Narges Mohammadi, the Iranian human rights advocate and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been sentenced to an additional seven-and-a-half years in prison by a court in Mashhad, as confirmed by her legal representative. This latest ruling adds to the already significant time Mohammadi has spent behind bars and underscores the ongoing repression of dissenting voices in Iran.
New Sentences and Legal Proceedings
On Sunday, Mohammadi’s lawyer, Mostafa Nili, revealed that she received a six-year sentence for “gathering and collusion against national security” and an additional one-and-a-half years for “propaganda activities”. These charges were levied following her arrest in December, during which she was reportedly subjected to violence, leading to her hospitalisation after the incident. Her family alleges that she was assaulted by security personnel at the time of her arrest while attending a memorial for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer whose death has raised questions and suspicions.
In addition to her prison sentences, Mohammadi has been imposed a two-year travel ban and is facing two years of forced exile in the eastern Khusf region. Nili, who was able to speak with Mohammadi for the first time since her arrest, noted that she had begun a hunger strike on 2 February in protest against her treatment and the legitimacy of the judicial process she is subjected to.
The Nature of the Charges
The Iranian authorities claim that Mohammadi incited unrest by encouraging attendees at the memorial to chant slogans deemed unacceptable. Mashhad prosecutor Hasan Hematifar reported that she was one of 39 individuals apprehended during the memorial event, presenting her actions as a threat to public order. However, supporters of Mohammadi vehemently contest the legitimacy of these accusations, framing them as politically motivated attempts to silence a prominent critic of the Iranian regime.
Her husband, Taghi Rahmani, described her courtroom experience as a farce, asserting that she refused to engage with the proceedings, considering them devoid of any legitimacy. “She did not utter a single word, nor did she sign a single paper,” Rahmani stated, emphasising her unwavering stance against the judicial system that has consistently targeted her activism.
Ongoing Struggles for Human Rights
Mohammadi’s plight highlights the broader context of human rights abuses in Iran, where dissent is often met with swift and brutal reprisals. She has already served over a decade in prison for her advocacy against the systemic oppression faced by women in Iran. The Narges Foundation, which champions her cause, has articulated that with this latest sentence, the cumulative prison time dictated to her amounts to an astounding 44 years.
Additionally, the circumstances surrounding Alikordi’s death, which prompted the memorial gathering, have drawn international scrutiny. The Norway-based group Iran Human Rights has called for an independent inquiry into his passing, labelling the situation as suspicious. Eyewitness accounts from the memorial suggest that Mohammadi was violently apprehended by plainclothes security agents, further demonstrating the lengths to which the regime will go to quash dissent.
Why it Matters
The continued imprisonment of Narges Mohammadi serves as a stark reminder of the precarious state of human rights in Iran, where activists face severe repercussions for their efforts to advocate for change. Her case not only highlights the struggles of women in Iran but also embodies the fight for justice and freedom of expression in a nation where dissent is routinely silenced. The international community’s response to these developments will be crucial in determining whether the Iranian regime is held accountable for its actions or if it will continue to operate with impunity. As Mohammadi’s situation unfolds, it calls for renewed global attention and action to support human rights defenders in Iran and beyond.
