Narges Mohammadi, a prominent Iranian activist and the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has received an additional 15-month prison sentence for allegedly “spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic regime,” according to a statement released by her family on social media.
Known for her outspoken support of the protests that swept Iran following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in custody in 2022, Mohammadi and fellow female detainees staged a protest inside Iran’s notorious Evin Prison on the anniversary of Amini’s passing. They symbolically burned headscarves during the demonstration.
This recent conviction marks Mohammadi’s fifth since March 2021, resulting in a cumulative sentence of 12 years and three months in prison, 154 lashes, and various social and political restrictions, as revealed by her family on Monday. Initially detained in 2011, Mohammadi chose not to participate in the interrogations or trial sessions.
In addition to her prison term, Mohammadi has been sentenced to two years of exile outside Tehran and a two-year ban from joining sociopolitical groups and using a smartphone.
Despite her activism for imprisoned individuals, campaigns against the death penalty, and condemnation of the regime’s use of torture and sexualized violence, Mohammadi faced severe repercussions. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to her while she was incarcerated, and her children, living in exile with her husband in France, accepted the prize on her behalf. The award drew condemnation from Iran’s Foreign Ministry.
The latest judgment emphasized accusations of inciting public and individual opinions against the Islamic regime, creating chaos and disturbances. Described by her family as more of a political statement than a fair judgment, Mohammadi’s case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by activists in Iran.
In a related development, two female journalists, Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, who reported on Amini’s death, were recently released on bail, according to Reuters. However, after images of their release circulated online, both journalists faced charges under laws mandating the wearing of a hijab. Iran’s judiciary news site, Mizan, reported new cases against two female defendants without revealing their identities.