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Iranian labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi, who had been under a death sentence for “baghi” (armed rebellion against the Islamic Republic), has had her punishment reduced to 30 years’ imprisonment following a decision by the head of Iran’s judiciary. Her lawyer, Amir Raeesian, announced the ruling on his Instagram page, explaining that “the danger of execution has now been lifted,” but that efforts for judicial review and full acquittal remain underway.
Raeesian stated that he will continue to pursue Article 477 of Iran’s Code of Criminal Procedure, which allows the Supreme Leader or the head of the judiciary to order a retrial if a verdict contradicts Islamic law or justice. He emphasized that the defense team seeks to overturn the conviction entirely, arguing that Mohammadi should be cleared of the charge of baghi — one of the harshest and most politicized accusations in Iranian law.
Sharifeh Mohammadi was arrested on December 5, 2023 (Azar 14 1402) by security agents while returning home from work. She was held incommunicado for several weeks, first in Rasht and then in Sanandaj Prison in Kurdistan Province. For roughly three months she was kept in solitary confinement, subjected to prolonged interrogations, and denied access to her family and legal counsel. She is now held in Lakan Prison, Rasht, where she remains incarcerated.
Mohammadi was first sentenced to death on July 8, 2024 (Tir 18 1403) by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht on charges of baghi. The Supreme Court overturned that verdict on October 12, 2024 (Mehr 21), citing serious ambiguities and lack of evidence. Nevertheless, a parallel court re-issued the death sentence, and in August 2025, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court again upheld the execution order despite unresolved contradictions and procedural flaws.
The confirmation of the death sentence sparked backlash from civil-society groups, human-rights defenders, and labor organizations. The Campaign to Defend Sharifeh Mohammadi condemned the verdict as “unjust and politically motivated,” stating that “from the very beginning, this case was constructed by the Ministry of Intelligence as a security scenario rather than a legal process.” The campaign added that the arrest, interrogation, and trial lacked any sign of independence or impartiality.
According to a source close to Mohammadi’s family, the baghi charge was based not on armed activity but on personal friendships with individuals the Ministry of Intelligence alleged were linked to the Kurdish Komala Party. Such alleged associations were used to portray her as part of an armed group, despite no evidence of violent conduct or organizational involvement.
Human-rights advocates have welcomed the commutation of her death sentence, viewing it as a crucial step that spares her life, yet falling far short of true justice. They have warned that the entire case against Mohammadi remains gravely flawed — tainted by coerced confessions, denial of fair-trial guarantees, politically motivated charges, and lack of due process.
Under international human-rights law, Iran is bound by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to life, freedom from arbitrary detention, and freedom of expression and association. The application of baghi to a non-violent labor activist stands in direct violation of these obligations.
Human-rights organizations worldwide have urged Iran to release Sharifeh Mohammadi immediately and unconditionally, declaring her imprisonment arbitrary and politically motivated. While her life has been saved, thirty years behind bars for peaceful activism would be profoundly harsh and disproportionate.
The commutation of Sharifeh Mohammadi’s death sentence should be welcomed as a humanitarian reprieve — but it should also serve as a call to end the criminalization of civic activism in Iran. NIAC reiterates its call on Iranian authorities to release all unjustly detained prisoners, including Mohammadi, and to move into compliance with its international rights obligations.