Iran has handed down a new seven-year prison sentence to Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, with her supporters revealing that this decision came after she initiated a hunger strike. The crackdown on dissent in Tehran has intensified following widespread protests and numerous casualties caused by security forces.
The recent convictions against Mohammadi coincide with Iran’s efforts to negotiate with the United States regarding its nuclear program, aiming to prevent a potential military strike by President Donald Trump. Iran’s top diplomat emphasized Tehran’s resilience in rejecting major powers, taking a firm stance after talks with the U.S. in Oman.
According to Mohammadi’s supporters, her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, confirmed the sentence on social media platform X, disclosing that a Revolutionary Court in Mashhad issued the verdict on Saturday. These courts typically provide minimal opportunities for defendants to challenge their charges.
The lawyer stated that Mohammadi received a six-year sentence for “gathering and collusion,” along with a one and a half-year term for propaganda and a two-year travel ban. Additionally, she was sentenced to two years of internal exile in Khosf, around 740 kilometers southeast of Tehran.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s secretary general, expressed concern over Mohammadi’s sentence, describing it as indicative of the escalating suppression of dissent and protests by Iranian authorities. Mohammadi has been on a hunger strike since February 2, as reported by her supporters.
Mohammadi, a prominent figure among Iranian activists, had been warned of the risk of imprisonment before her arrest in December. Despite serving a previous sentence of 13 years and nine months for charges related to state security collusion and anti-government propaganda, she continued her activism through public demonstrations and media engagements.
Her ongoing defiance and advocacy, including protesting in front of Evin prison, where she was previously held, highlight her unwavering commitment to human rights causes. Mohammadi’s supporters have raised concerns about her health, citing multiple heart attacks during her imprisonment and a recent surgery to address a potentially cancerous condition.
While calls for her temporary release for medical treatment have emerged, Iranian officials have signaled a tougher stance on dissent post-protests. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei warned of severe consequences for individuals expressing dissenting views, signaling a harsh approach towards those challenging the regime.