Washington, DC – The US State Department called on the Iranian regime to immediately and unconditionally release Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi. It also called for the release of all prisoners of conscience in the country, describing her recent sentences as the result of a “sham trial.” The statement added that the trials fell far short of the minimum standards of justice.
Condemnation via platform (X)
The official Persian-language account of the U.S. State Department on Twitter (formerly known as “X”) commented on the latest developments in the case of Narges Mohammadi. It asserted that the new sentence represents a continuation of systematic repression. The State Department statement read: “Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced to an additional seven and a half years in prison for defending human rights. After 59 days of detention without access to a lawyer, and with her health deteriorating, she was subjected to a sham trial that failed to meet even the minimum standards of a fair trial.”
The statement emphasized the United States’ unwavering position, demanding that “the Islamic Republic regime immediately release Narges Mohammadi and all prisoners of conscience.”
Details of the harsh ruling
Two days ago, Mostafa Nili, Narges Mohammadi’s lawyer, revealed that the Mashhad Revolutionary Court had issued a new sentence of a lengthy prison term for his client, followed by internal exile. According to Nili, Mohammadi was informed of the sentence while being transferred to Branch 1 of the court. The sentence includes six years in prison for “assembly and collusion,” a year and a half for “propaganda activities,” a two-year travel ban, and two years of internal exile to the city of Khasf (in South Khorasan province).
Family reactions
For his part, Taqi Rahmani, Ms. Mohammadi’s husband, described the sentences as “cruel” and inhumane in an interview with BBC Persian. He also expressed deep concern about her health and the conditions of her trial.
