Iranian Nobel Laureate Receives Second Sentence, Concludes Hunger Strike
The situation surrounding Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has taken a troubling turn. Recently, her family and legal representatives revealed that she has received a second prison sentence. This new sentence comes before the conclusion of her previous jail term.
Narges Mohammadi’s Hunger Strike and Health Concerns
On Sunday, it was announced that Mohammadi concluded a six-day hunger strike. She initiated this protest in response to her unlawful detention. The Narges Foundation, which advocates for her rights, voiced its concern over her declining health.
New Sentencing and Legal Actions
On Saturday, Mohammadi, aged 53, was sentenced to over seven and a half years in prison. This ruling stems from charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic Regime.” This new sentence adds to her existing prison time, bringing her total sentence to 17 years.
According to Chirinne Ardakani, a human rights lawyer at the Narges Foundation, Mohammadi is one of Iran’s most prominent civil rights activists. Over the past decade, she has faced multiple imprisonments for her advocacy against issues like the death penalty and compulsory hijab laws.
A Nobel Award in Absence
In 2023, while serving a previous 10-year sentence in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. However, her legal troubles continued after being released on medical furlough in 2024 for health issues.
Incidents Following Medical Furlough
Upon attending a memorial for a notable human rights lawyer in Mashhad, Mohammadi was arrested in late December. Reportedly, she experienced severe physical abuse during her detention and required hospitalization.
In the wake of her arrest, Mohammadi began a hunger strike in early February to protest against the lack of medical access in custody. She concluded this strike six days later under alarming health conditions.
Restrictions Imposed by the Court
The court not only sentenced Mohammadi to prison time but also imposed a two-year ban on her leaving Iran. Furthermore, she has been ordered to serve a two-year term of internal exile in Khusf, a city over 450 miles away from her home in Tehran.
Ongoing Repression and Advocacy
Ms. Ardakani described the trial against Mohammadi as devoid of justice. She emphasized that it reflects a broader crackdown on dissent in Iran. The Iranian regime’s continuous persecution of voices like Mohammadi highlights its oppressive tactics against civil rights activism.
