Narges Mohammadi, the Iranian human rights advocate and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is facing additional years behind bars in Iran following a new sentence announced on February 8, 2026. This most recent sentence adds to the already lengthy prison term she is serving for her unwavering commitment to women's rights and political freedom in Iran.
Mohammadi's journey as an activist began years ago, leading her to become a prominent figure in the fight against oppression in Iran. She is the vice president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), an organization dedicated to defending political prisoners and promoting human rights reform, headed by fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi. Her activism extends beyond gender equality, as she has also campaigned against the death penalty and the Iranian regime's systematic use of torture and sexualized violence in prisons.
In October 2023, while imprisoned, Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her efforts to promote human rights and freedom for all. Her Nobel Prize was received on her behalf by her twin children in Oslo, as she was unable to attend. During the ceremony, they read a defiant letter smuggled from prison, calling for continued resistance against the regime.
Since 2021, Mohammadi has been serving a 13-year sentence on national security charges, which she has consistently denied. She was briefly released from Evin Prison in December 2024 for medical treatment but was expected to return to custody. On February 8, 2026, it was announced that Mohammadi had been sentenced to an additional six years in prison for "gathering and collusion" against national security and one and a half years for "propaganda" against Iran's Islamic system. She also received a two-year travel ban and was ordered to internal exile for two years in the city of Khosf.
According to her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, Mohammadi did not offer a defense during her latest sentencing, as she does not believe in the legitimacy of the judiciary. Her husband, Taghi Rahmani, stated that she views the proceedings as a charade with a predetermined outcome. In protest of her detention and sentencing, Mohammadi began a hunger strike on February 2, 2026, which she ended after nearly a week due to her deteriorating health. Supporters reported that she was briefly hospitalized but returned to prison before completing her treatment.
Mohammadi's recent arrest occurred in December 2025 at a ceremony honoring Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer and human rights advocate. She was seen in footage shouting and demanding justice for Alikordi and others.
Agnes Callamard, the secretary-general of Amnesty International, described Mohammadi's sentence as "a reflection of the skyrocketing lethal repression against dissent and protests waged by the authorities". Human rights groups have repeatedly called for her immediate release, along with all political prisoners in Iran. Despite the immense personal cost, Narges Mohammadi remains a symbol of hope and resistance for those fighting for human rights and freedom in Iran.