Tehran, Iran – Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced to six years in prison by an Iranian court, her lawyer Mostafa Nili told AFP on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
According to Nili, Mohammadi was convicted of “gathering and collusion to commit crimes” and handed a two-year ban on leaving the country. She also received a one-and-a-half-year sentence for “propaganda activities” and is to be exiled for two years to Khosf, in the eastern province of South Khorasan. Under Iranian law, jail terms run concurrently.
Health Concerns and Appeal
Nili expressed hope that Mohammadi, who suffers from health complications, could be temporarily released on bail to receive treatment. He added that the verdict is not final and will be appealed.
A History of Activism and Imprisonment
Mohammadi, 53, has spent much of the past decade behind bars for her outspoken activism against Iran’s use of the death penalty and the mandatory dress code for women.
- She has not seen her twin children, who live in Paris, since 2015.
- In December 2024, she was briefly released on medical grounds following surgery and a bone graft.
- On December 12, 2025, she was arrested in Mashhad after speaking at a ceremony honoring a lawyer found dead.
Even in prison, Mohammadi has staged protests and hunger strikes, refusing to remain silent.
Career and Recognition
Born in Zanjan in 1972, Mohammadi studied physics and worked as an engineer while contributing to reformist media outlets. In the 2000s, she joined the Defenders of Human Rights Center, founded by 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, where she remains vice president.
She was jailed between 2015 and 2020 for “forming and leading an illegal group” campaigning against capital punishment. In 2023, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless advocacy, with her children collecting the award on her behalf.
Human Rights Context
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, note that Iran carries out more executions annually than any country except China. Mohammadi’s case underscores the risks faced by activists challenging Iran’s judicial and political system.
Conclusion
Narges Mohammadi’s sentencing highlights the ongoing struggle for human rights in Iran. Despite repeated imprisonment, exile, and health challenges, her voice continues to resonate globally as a symbol of resilience and defiance against oppression.
