Nobel Committee Condemns One-Year Prison Sentence for Narges Mohammadi

The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Thursday, June 21, condemned the Islamic Revolutionary Court's decision in Tehran to impose an additional one-year prison sentence on Narges Mohammadi, a imprisoned human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, calling it 'harsh and unjust.' Jürgen Watne Friis, the head of the committee, described the Iranian government's action as 'a blatant violation of human rights and a trickery of justice.' Narges Mohammadi, 52, has been imprisoned since November 2021 due to several previous convictions related to her campaigns against mandatory hijab for women and the death penalty in Iran. Her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, wrote on his social media account on Tuesday, June 18, that Ms. Mohammadi was sentenced to one year in prison for 'propaganda against the regime.' According to Mostafa Nili, this sentence was in response to calls for a boycott of parliamentary elections, letters to Swedish and Norwegian representatives, and comments regarding Dina Qalibaf, an Iranian journalist and student. On April 21, Narges Mohammadi had revealed in an audio message from Evin Prison about the 'beating' and 'sexual harassment' of Dina Qalibaf, a journalist and student activist. This well-known human rights activist stated in her message that Dina Qalibaf was transferred to the women's section of Evin Prison 'with a bruised body and a narrative of sexual harassment.' Based on information on Narges Mohammadi's Instagram page, this political prisoner has been tried six times in revolutionary and criminal courts over the past three years, receiving a total of 13 years and three months in prison, 154 lashes, exile, and four months of street cleaning. The report continues: 'She has been tried and convicted four times for protesting, revealing, and narrating the assault and sexual harassment by government agents.' Narges Mohammadi refused to attend her trial session in Tehran earlier this month and condemned in an audio message from prison last April the 'total war against women' in the Islamic Republic. Last year, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight against oppression and injustice against women in Iran and her efforts to promote human rights and freedom for all. Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been sentenced to an additional year in prison for 'propaganda against the regime.' Reporters Without Borders announced the launch of a new campaign for Narges Mohammadi's freedom. Narges Mohammadi refused to attend her court session. Sedigheh Vasmaghi: 'Instead of Narges Mohammadi, prosecute the agents harassing women.' Dozens of activists supporting Narges Mohammadi: 'The Islamic Republic has used sexual violence as a tool of repression.' Narges Mohammadi's request to the public: 'Join the campaign for solidarity against sexual harassment.' A statement from 36 political prisoners in Evin: 'Narges Mohammadi's trial should be public and held with the presence of witnesses.'