Nobel Peace Prize Winner Narges Mohammadi Sentenced Again

Iran Extends Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi’s Prison Term for Defiant Memorial Speech

In a move that has sparked international outcry, an Iranian court has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to an additional seven and a half years in prison. This latest legal blow comes while the 53-year-old activist is reportedly on a hunger strike to protest her ongoing detention and the lack of medical care for political prisoners.

Mohammadi, a tireless advocate for human rights and women's rights in Iran, was already serving a nearly 14-year sentence when the new charges were announced. According to her lawyer, the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad handed down the new term for "gathering and collusion" and "propaganda against the state." In addition to the prison time, the court imposed a two-year travel ban and ordered her into internal exile in the remote city of Khosf.

Her supporters note that the hunger strike, which began on February 2, has severely compromised her health. Mohammadi has a history of heart issues and recently underwent surgery to remove a bone lesion. Despite these life-threatening conditions, she has remained a defiant symbol of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, continuing her activism even from behind the walls of Tehran's Evin prison.

This sentencing occurs amidst a broader crackdown by the Iranian government on dissent following years of nationwide protests. International human rights organizations are calling for her immediate release, citing her deteriorating health and the arbitrary nature of the charges. As global pressure mounts, Mohammadi’s family continues to voice her message of resistance, emphasizing that no amount of imprisonment will silence the call for justice in Iran.

Key Takeaways

• Extended Sentence: Narges Mohammadi faces over seven more years in prison plus internal exile.

• Health Crisis: The laureate is on a hunger strike despite suffering from severe heart and spinal conditions.

• Persistent Activism: The charges stem from her continued vocal support for human rights and opposition to the death penalty.

Adapted From

The Guardian