Iran extends Nobel laureate Mohammadis prison sentence by seven years

Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced to over seven years in prison, according to her lawyers and a support group. The sentence was handed down on Saturday, with Mohammadi receiving six years for gathering and collusion to commit crimes, as well as a one-and-a-half-year term for propaganda activities. She will also be exiled to the city of Khosf in South Khorasan province for two years and face a two-year ban on leaving the country.

Mohammadi had been on a week-long hunger strike that ended on Sunday, according to her lawyers. The Narges Foundation reported that she told her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, in a phone call from prison that she had received the sentence on Saturday. Nili stated that the verdict was not final and could be appealed.

Mohammadi began a hunger strike on February 2 to protest the conditions of her imprisonment and the inability to make phone calls to lawyers and family. The foundation reported that Mohammadi’s physical condition is deeply alarming, with reports indicating she was transferred to the hospital just three days ago due to her deteriorating health. However, she was returned to the Ministry of Intelligence’s security detention centre in Mashhad before completing treatment.

Mohammadi serves as deputy director of the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), an organization dedicated to defending political prisoners and promoting human rights reforms in Iran. She has been a prominent figure in advocating for gender equality, against the death penalty, and corruption. The Nobel Committee recognized her 20-year fight for women’s rights as a symbol of freedom.

Mohammadi was arrested on December 12 after denouncing the suspicious death of lawyer Khosrow Alikordi. Prosecutor Hasan Hematifar stated that Mohammadi made provocative remarks at Alikordi’s memorial ceremony and encouraged those present to chant slogans and disturb the peace.

Source: Al Jazeera