Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Sentenced to Over Seven Additional Years in Iranian Prison

Nobel Laureate Receives New Prison Sentence in Iran

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced to an additional seven and a half years in prison by an Iranian Revolutionary Court. The verdict, handed down on Saturday, February 8, 2026, in Mashhad, includes six years for 'gathering and collusion to commit crimes' and one and a half years for 'propaganda activities' against the state.

In addition to the prison term, Mohammadi has been subjected to supplementary punishments, including two years of internal exile to the city of Khosf (also referred to as Khaf County) and a two-year travel ban. Her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, confirmed the sentence, noting that such courts typically offer little opportunity for defendants to contest charges.

Hunger Strike and Deteriorating Health

The new sentencing follows a week-long hunger strike initiated by Mohammadi on February 2, 2026. Her supporters reported that she ended the strike on Sunday, February 9, due to her worsening health. Concerns about her health have been ongoing; she was reportedly transferred to a hospital during her hunger strike but was returned to a security detention facility before completing her treatment. Mohammadi had previously undergone complex surgery in late 2024 for tumor removal and a bone graft.

Background of Activism and Previous Arrests

Mohammadi, 53, was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize 'for her courageous fight for freedom and human rights over three decades,' specifically for her efforts against the oppression of women in Iran and her advocacy for human rights and freedom for all. She has spent much of the past decade in and out of prison for her activism.

Her most recent arrest occurred in December 2025, when she was detained at a memorial ceremony in Mashhad honoring lawyer Khosrow Alikordi. During the proceedings for her latest sentence, Mohammadi reportedly refused to offer a defense, with her Paris-based husband, Taghi Rahmani, stating that she views the judiciary as lacking legitimacy and the proceedings as a 'mere charade with a predetermined end.' With this new conviction, Mohammadi now faces a cumulative total of 15 years and six months of discretionary imprisonment from various sentences.