In brief
Narges Mohammadi, a prominent human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison by an Iranian court. The sentences include six years for collusion and one-and-a-half years for propaganda activities. Mohammadi has been targeted by authorities for her outspoken stance on women's rights, facing additional measures including a travel ban and exile. Her legal representation criticizes the proceedings as illegitimate, reflecting ongoing repression of dissent in Iran.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been handed further prison sentences of seven-and-a-half years by an Iranian court, her lawyer has said. The human rights activist was sentenced to six years for 'gathering and collusion', and one-and-a-half years for 'propaganda activities' by a court in the north-eastern city of Mashhad, Mostafa Nili announced on social media on Sunday.Mohammadi was arrested in December for making 'provocative remarks' at a memorial ceremony, Iranian authorities said at the time. Her family reported she was taken to hospital after being beaten during the arrest. The 53-year-old was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2023 for her activism against female oppression in Iran.Nili stated that Mohammadi has also been issued a two-year travel ban and will face two years of exile to the eastern Khusf region. The Narges Foundation, which supports her, labeled the hearing a 'sham', revealing that Mohammadi began a hunger strike on February 2.Recently, she has experienced health issues, necessitating hospitalization due to her poor physical condition, after which she was returned to detention. Mohammadi's husband emphasized that she did not provide a defense during her court appearance, holding the judicial system in disdain and viewing the procedures as predetermined.In addition to her recent charges, Mohammadi has faced extensive prison time previously, amassing a total of over 44 years of sentences for her activism, which aligns with her staunch opposition to the Iranian regime's repression of women and civil rights. Furthermore, her ill-treatment and aggressive arrest have drawn international condemnation and calls for action from human rights organizations.
