Iran Sentences Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi to Further Imprisonment Amidst Increased Crackdowns

The Iranian government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, sentencing Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi to an additional seven years in prison following her recent hunger strike, as reported by her supporters on Sunday. This development occurs amid Iran’s ongoing negotiations with the United States regarding its nuclear program, seeking to evade potential military action.

The new convictions against Mohammadi come at a time when Iran is trying to demonstrate strength by adopting a firm stance in discussions with global powers, as suggested by comments made by Iran’s top diplomat following recent U.S. talks in Oman.

Mostafa Nili, Mohammadi’s lawyer, confirmed the sentence on X, announcing that it was handed down by a Revolutionary Court in Mashhad this past Saturday. These courts are known for issuing verdicts that often allow limited scope for appeal or public defense. According to Nili, Mohammadi received six years for ‘gathering and collusion’, an additional year and a half for alleged propaganda, and will face a two-year travel ban. Furthermore, she is sentenced to two years of internal exile in Khosf, which is about 460 miles southeast of Tehran.

Agnes Callamard, the Secretary-General of Amnesty International, responded to this news on X, expressing concern that Mohammadi’s sentence highlights the increasing repression against protestors and dissent by Iranian authorities.

Iranian officials have yet to publicly recognize the sentence. According to Mohammadi’s supporters, she has been on a hunger strike since February 2, ending the strike upon receiving the sentence due to health deterioration. Her arrest occurred in December at a gathering commemorating Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer and human rights advocate from Mashhad, where Mohammadi was actively demanding justice for him and others.

Mohammadi, who is 53, had already served a significant time in jail, accused of collusion against state security and propagating against Iran’s government. She had continued her advocacy for women’s rights and other causes even amid the nationwide protests ignited by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, where women defied government mandates by discarding the hijab.

Health has been a significant concern for Mohammadi, who endured multiple heart issues leading to emergency surgery in 2022. Her lawyer mentioned that she had a bone lesion suspected to be cancerous, which was later removed. Nili expressed hopes for a temporary bail to allow her necessary medical treatment.

Despite implicit indications from Iranian officials of a harsher approach to dissenters, such as the Iranian judiciary chief’s recent comments, international dialogue remains as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi underscored Iran’s insistence on its rights to enrich uranium. This issue stands as a significant point of contention, particularly after U.S. military actions during a brief Iran-Israel conflict in June.

As these events unfold, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to travel to Washington, suggesting that Iran will be central to discussions there.