An Iranian court has handed down a fresh prison sentence to Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights activist Narges Mohammadi, intensifying international concern over Tehran’s treatment of prominent dissidents. The ruling orders Mohammadi to serve six years in prison on charges related to national security, alongside additional penalties including travel restrictions and internal exile.
According to details shared by her legal counsel and reported by international news agencies, the court convicted Mohammadi of “assembly and collusion to commit crimes” and “facilitating criminal activities,” offences commonly used in Iran against political activists and civil society figures. In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a two-year ban on her leaving the country.
Additional Sentences and Internal Exile Ordered
Mohammadi’s lawyer further revealed that the court issued an additional sentence of one and a half years in prison on charges of spreading propaganda against the state. Alongside this punishment, the judiciary ordered her internal exile for a period of two years to the city of Khusf in South Khorasan province, a remote eastern region of Iran.
Under Iranian law, sentences handed down in multiple cases are typically served concurrently. As a result, the longest sentence effectively determines the duration of imprisonment. Even so, the combination of incarceration, exile, and travel restrictions represents a severe escalation in legal pressure on the internationally recognised activist.
Health Concerns Raise Fears Over Detention
Mohammadi’s legal team has expressed serious concern over her physical condition, stating that her health has deteriorated significantly in recent months. Her lawyer indicated hope that, given her medical condition, authorities may grant her temporary release on bail for treatment.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly warned that Mohammadi’s repeated imprisonments have taken a toll on her health, pointing to previous reports of heart problems and other chronic conditions. Activists argue that continued detention under such circumstances could pose serious risks to her life.
A Long History of Activism and Arrests
At 53, Narges Mohammadi has spent more than two decades campaigning against the death penalty and advocating for women’s rights in Iran. She is particularly known for her outspoken criticism of Iran’s mandatory hijab laws, which require women to cover their hair in public.
Over the past 25 years, her activism has led to numerous arrests, trials, and prison sentences. Iranian authorities have repeatedly accused her of undermining national security, while supporters describe her as one of the country’s most courageous voices for peaceful reform and human rights.
Mohammadi has also been closely associated with the Defenders of Human Rights Center, a group founded by Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi, which has long been viewed with suspicion by Iranian authorities. Her work documenting abuses in prisons and advocating for prisoners’ rights has placed her at the centre of Iran’s human rights debate.
Nobel Peace Prize Recognition Amid Imprisonment
In 2023, Narges Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her long-standing campaign against capital punishment and her advocacy for women’s rights and freedom of expression in Iran. The Nobel Committee praised her “brave and tireless fight” against oppression, describing her as a symbol of resistance for Iranian women.
At the time of the award, Mohammadi was already behind bars. Unable to attend the ceremony in Oslo, the prize was received on her behalf by her children, a moment that drew global attention and underscored the personal cost of her activism.
Domestic and International Reaction
The latest sentence has triggered renewed criticism from international human rights groups, who argue that Iran is using the judiciary to silence peaceful dissent. Observers say the ruling sends a clear signal to activists and journalists inside the country that dissent will continue to be met with harsh punishment.
Within Iran, reactions have been more restrained due to tight controls on media and public expression. However, activists in exile and on social media platforms have described the sentence as unjust and politically motivated, calling for Mohammadi’s immediate release.
Western governments and international organisations have previously urged Iran to free Mohammadi and other political prisoners, particularly those suffering from health issues. It remains to be seen whether this latest development will prompt fresh diplomatic pressure.
What Lies Ahead
While Iranian law allows for appeals in certain cases, legal experts caution that overturning politically sensitive verdicts remains extremely difficult. Mohammadi’s supporters fear that even if she is granted temporary medical release, she could be returned to prison once treatment ends.
As Iran continues to face scrutiny over its human rights record, the sentencing of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate has once again placed the country under the global spotlight. For many observers, the case of Narges Mohammadi represents a broader struggle between state authority and demands for basic rights and freedoms.
Her future now depends largely on judicial decisions and political calculations, but her supporters insist that her voice, even from behind bars, will continue to resonate far beyond Iran’s borders.
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