Cartoon by Mana Neyestani

Over 1,000 Activists Demand Iran Cancel Death Sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi

IranWire: More than 1,000 civil activists have called for authorities to cancel the death sentence of a women’s rights advocate who has been detained for 20 months.

Sharifeh Mohammadi, 45, from Rasht, was sentenced to death following what activists called a secret and unfair trial despite her peaceful activities.

Security forces arrested Mohammadi in December 2023 and transferred her between Intelligence Ministry detention centers.

Activists said she was tortured and pressured to make forced confessions.

The Revolutionary Court in Rasht sentenced her to death in 2024 during a brief, closed session. The court did not allow her to defend herself, according to the activists’ statement.

The court cited her human rights work and support for female prisoners and workers as evidence against her.

Iran’s Supreme Court initially overturned the sentence, saying it lacked religious and legal basis.

However, the Revolutionary Court reissued the death sentence without providing new evidence.

Mohammadi is currently held at Lakan Prison in Rasht. After her arrest, authorities transferred her to a detention center in Sanandaj, 500 kilometers away, without informing her family.

Activists said agents beat her repeatedly while she was blindfolded to extract confessions. She filed a torture complaint in February 2024 but withdrew it after prosecutors threatened long-term solitary confinement.

The court charged her with “baghi,” or armed rebellion against the government.

Evidence included her support for female prisoners, opposition to capital punishment, and connections with worker organization committees.

The activists called for immediate suspension of the execution and unconditional release of Mohammadi.