Narges Mohammadi Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison

Reports indicate that Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Judge Salavati, has sentenced Narges Mohammadi, the vice president and spokesperson of the Human Rights Defenders Center, to ten years in prison. According to the Human Rights Defenders Center website, the Revolutionary Court convicted Ms. Mohammadi based on Articles 500, 610, 498, and 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, sentencing her to five years for 'collusion and conspiracy to commit a crime against national security,' one year for 'propaganda against the regime,' and ten years for 'forming and managing an illegal group called Legam.' The report added that based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code regarding multiple crimes, 'if the committed offenses do not exceed three, the maximum determined punishment is applied.' Therefore, with this aggregation, Ms. Mohammadi has been sentenced to ten years in prison. Reports indicate that Ms. Mohammadi's sentence, who is currently serving her sentence in prison, was announced by the court on Wednesday, 29 Ordibehesht. The court session for Ms. Mohammadi was held privately on 1 Ordibehesht of this year. Meanwhile, Taghi Rahmani, Narges Mohammadi's husband, reacted to the ruling by Judge Salavati, stating that it seems the judge was merely looking for an excuse to increase her sentence, while even Mr. Javad Larijani and other judicial officials have spoken about the need to change some sentences, including the death penalty. In this context, Reporters Without Borders condemned the court's ruling against Narges Mohammadi in a statement on Wednesday. Reporters Without Borders emphasized that 'the court against the journalist and spokesperson of the Human Rights Defenders Center of Iran was influenced by the illegal actions of the Ministry of Intelligence and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.' Christophe Deloire, the Secretary-General of Reporters Without Borders, also stated: 'Narges Mohammadi is a hero of freedom of information who is an honor for journalism and the defense of freedom. Such a heavy sentence indicates the injustice of the Iranian judicial system. In the face of this judicial horror, President Hassan Rouhani should not remain silent, although we know that the Iranian judiciary is under the control of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.' Taghi Rahmani told Reporters Without Borders: 'This heavy sentence is a form of revenge not only against Narges but against the entire civil society of Iran. This sentence is the result of a joint action by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Intelligence to intimidate activists who inform about human rights violations, including the situation of political prisoners in Iran.' In this context, Narges Mohammadi's trial in 'a private court' did not provide her with essential medications, and she has stated that 'she will go on a hunger strike.' Six Nobel Peace Prize winners have called for the release of Narges Mohammadi. Narges Mohammadi's family claims she has been accused of 'collaborating with ISIS.' Taghi Rahmani updates on Narges Mohammadi's situation.