Iran(The COW News Digital) Iran has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to seven and a half years in prison, drawing international concern over human rights and freedom of expression in the country. The 53-year-old activist, renowned for her decades-long struggle for women’s rights, had recently ended a week-long hunger strike before receiving the new sentence.
According to the Narges Foundation, Mohammadi was informed of the ruling via a brief phone call with her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, after weeks of solitary confinement and restricted communication. The foundation emphasized that the prison conditions severely limited her ability to consult with legal counsel or communicate with the outside world.
The sentence comprises six years for “assembly and conspiracy against national security” and an additional one-and-a-half years for “propaganda against the government.” Authorities also imposed two years of internal exile in Khusf and a two-year travel ban. Mohammadi was initially arrested on December 12 after publicly condemning the suspicious death of her lawyer, Khosrow Ali Kordi. Prosecutors claimed that during a memorial event in Mashhad, Mohammadi delivered inflammatory remarks encouraging disruption and unrest.
Mohammadi, who has long campaigned against the death penalty and for women’s rights in Iran, had previously faced imprisonment for similar activism. In 2023, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous human rights advocacy, even while serving a prison sentence at the time.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not issued an official comment regarding the latest sentencing. International observers and human rights organizations have repeatedly called for her immediate release and highlighted Iran’s pattern of criminalizing dissent.
Mohammadi’s continued imprisonment underscores the risks faced by activists in Iran, especially those advocating for gender equality and legal reforms. Her case has sparked widespread international criticism, as governments, NGOs, and human rights defenders urge Tehran to respect fundamental rights and uphold international norms.
The sentence has also drawn attention to the broader issue of political repression in Iran, particularly against women and activists who challenge state policies. Advocates warn that unless immediate steps are taken to protect Mohammadi and other political prisoners, Iran risks further isolation on the global stage.
