Narges Mohammadi, imprisoned political activist, sentenced to another year in prison

Narges Mohammadi, a political activist and prisoner, has been sentenced to an additional year in prison by the judiciary, according to her Instagram account managed by her close associates. The account states that due to her positions over the past year, Mohammadi has been convicted of 'propaganda activities' against the Islamic Republic. With this new ruling, the total penalties against her by the judiciary increase to 10 years and 9 months in prison and 154 lashes. The Instagram account mentions that this new sentence is one of five cases against her in the Evin security prosecutor's office, which was examined in Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Mazloom. Mohammadi refused to participate in the trial, stating that she does not recognize the Islamic Republic and its deceptive, show trials. This preliminary ruling was communicated to her in the women's section of Evin prison, and she did not sign it. Narges Mohammadi, a 51-year-old human rights activist, has been imprisoned multiple times. She was released in October 2020 after five years in prison but was sentenced again in June 2021 to 80 lashes and 30 months in prison on charges including 'propaganda against the regime,' 'sit-in at the prison office,' 'disobedience to prison authorities,' and 'destruction of glass' and 'defamation.' Mohammadi has stated that she does not recognize this ruling and has been imprisoned since November 2021. Over the past year, she has repeatedly protested various issues from prison. For instance, last month she wrote about the health condition of Zahra Seyyadi, a child labor rights activist, questioning what kind of education the judges of the Islamic Republic have received to commit such crimes against humanity. In reaction to the Islamic Republic's election to the presidency of the UN Social Assembly by the Human Rights Council last month, she stated: 'The Islamic Republic is a destroyer of Iranian civil society... The Islamic Republic is one of the blatant and obvious violators of human rights and a repressive and violent government.' In a message during the ceremony to receive the Alexander Langer International Foundation award, she said that women, as the leading and driving forces of the movement, have faced the wrath and violence of the government, and compulsory hijab has become a tool for the government to suppress women. Karen Kalikar stated: 'We consider Narges Mohammadi a symbol of all imprisoned Iranians. They all must be freed.' Mohammadi emphasized that the Islamic Republic is a destroyer of Iranian civil society and that women's defiance will break the authoritarian power of the religious government. Forty-four female activists called for the 'immediate and unconditional release' of Maryam Akbari Monfared. Mohammadi rejected the summons to the Evin prosecutor's office regarding 'her fifth case.' She has supported the campaign 'Our Story is One.' Mohammadi will be tried again due to 'activities inside the prison.' She called for the Islamic Republic to be removed from the presidency of the Human Rights Council's Social Assembly. The 'Freedom of Writing' award was given to Narges Mohammadi; the American PEN Association awarded this prize to her husband. Mohammadi emphasized the role of the Islamic Republic in the poisoning of schoolchildren. From prison, she urged international bodies to help end the Islamic Republic for the benefit of Iranians.