Iran has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi to over seven additional years in prison following her hunger strike, as reported by her supporters on Sunday. Tehran’s crackdown on dissent has intensified after widespread protests and thousands of deaths at the hands of security forces.
The recent convictions against Mohammadi coincide with Iran’s efforts to negotiate with the United States on its nuclear program to prevent a potential military strike by President Donald Trump. Iran’s top diplomat emphasized Tehran’s ability to resist great powers, taking a strong stance after talks with the U.S. in Oman.
Mohammadi’s attorney, Mostafa Nili, confirmed the sentence on social media platform X, stating that a Revolutionary Court in Mashhad issued the verdict on Saturday. The court’s decisions are typically final with little room for the accused to challenge the charges.
Nili disclosed that Mohammadi received a six-year sentence for “gathering and collusion,” along with one and a half years for propaganda, and a two-year travel ban. Additionally, she was imposed with two years of internal exile in the city of Khosf, about 740 kilometers southeast of Tehran.
Amnesty International’s secretary general, Agnès Callamard, criticized the sentence, calling it a reflection of the escalating repression against dissent in Iran. Mohammadi’s hunger strike began on Feb. 2, after her arrest in December during a ceremony honoring a deceased human rights advocate.
Mohammadi, a symbol for Iranian activists, had previously served a lengthy sentence for charges related to state security collusion and propaganda against the government. She had also supported nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, where women openly defied the government’s hijab laws.
Despite challenges and health issues, Mohammadi continued her activism through public demonstrations and media appearances, advocating for justice and human rights. Iranian authorities have shown a tougher stance on dissent since the protests, with judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei warning of severe consequences for critics.
Supporters and human rights organizations have expressed concerns over Mohammadi’s well-being and called for her release to receive necessary medical treatment. The situation remains tense as Iran grapples with internal dissent and international pressure on various fronts.
The ongoing plight of Narges Mohammadi highlights the broader issues of human rights and freedom of expression in Iran, drawing global attention to the challenges faced by activists and dissenters in the country.