Najmeh Amini, a 23-year-old accounting student, has been sentenced to death for insulting sacred figures in a social media post. This ruling comes as human rights organizations warn about the rising executions and death sentences in Iran. This year, over 600 executions have taken place in the country, raising serious international concerns.
Details of Najmeh Amini's Sentence
Najmeh Amini is currently in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. She has been sentenced to death for "sabb al-nabi" (insulting the Prophet). Additionally, in another case, Amini has been sentenced to 12 years and 6 months in prison for actions against national security and spreading propaganda against the regime.
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This young girl was arrested by security forces during the nationwide protests in December, which were met with violent repression. Thousands were killed and over 50,000 were arrested during these protests. Najmeh, in an audio recording from prison, called for international intervention and urged the United Nations and human rights groups to address her case.
Human Rights Concerns and Their Consequences
Human rights organizations believe that Iranian authorities are increasingly using the death penalty to suppress dissent. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, stated that Najmeh Amini's death sentence could normalize the use of capital punishment for expressing peaceful opinions. He emphasized that if the international community does not respond decisively to such cases, they may become more common.
According to Article 262 of Iran's Islamic Penal Code, insulting the Prophet Muhammad or Shia religious figures is punishable by death. However, Article 263 provides for exemption from this punishment under certain conditions. In court, Najmeh stated that she published her opinions while under the influence of hallucinogenic substances, and her lawyers described this as a "linguistic mistake," but the judge rejected this defense.
Najmeh's death sentence is still subject to appeal in the Supreme Court, while Iranian lawmakers are seeking to criminalize contact with foreign media. This situation reflects an increasing atmosphere of fear and insecurity in Iranian society.
Elnaaz, 24, who participated in the protests in Tehran and was arrested for her social media posts, speaks of feeling fear and constant surveillance. She says, "Even if I don't post anything on social media, I'm afraid. They can kill us even without a reason."
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