Nadjme Amini sentenced to death in Iran over social media post
The 23-year-old was also given 12 years, six months and one day behind bars; the death sentence can be appealed to Iran's Supreme Court.
Twenty-three-year-old Nadjme Amini has been sentenced to death in Iran on charges of blasphemy linked to a social‑media post, human rights groups report.
She is also serving a prison term in the Mashhad prison: 12 years, six months and one day for offences described as related to national security and propaganda against the regime.
The death sentence is not yet final and can be appealed to Iran's Supreme Court. Amini was arrested during the January mass protests that authorities suppressed with force.
Claims, recording and legal context
According to the reporting, Amini told the court she had made the contested post while experiencing hallucinations, but the judge rejected her defence. An audio recording released from the prison shows her asking for international help and calling on the United Nations, lawyers and human‑rights organisations to investigate her case.
Human‑rights groups warn that Iranian authorities increasingly use the death penalty to intimidate the population and crush dissent. Iran Human Rights says more than 600 executions have been carried out in the country since the start of 2026.
The case adds to mounting concern abroad about Tehran's use of capital punishment against protesters and critics; any final decision on the death sentence will depend on the outcome of appeals to higher courts.
Photo: press material from the event
