Worker activist sentenced to death in Iran

Sharifeh Mohammadi, a well-known labor activist imprisoned in Iran, was sentenced to death for armed sedition.

The campaign to defend Mohammadi wrote on Instagram: “This verdict is based on Ms. Mohammadi’s membership in an independent, public and legal workers’ organization a decade ago, which proves the verdict’s groundlessness.”

The campaign’s statement called the ruling “absurd and baseless” and aimed at creating fear among activists as the government continues to suppress any dissent.

Mohammadi, who was arrested in December, is one of the latest in a wave of executions that seeks to suppress dissent. Last year, 834 Iranians were executed, according to the United Nations, a record high, 50 percent more than the previous year.

At least 22 of them were womenIran is the world’s largest execution state for women. According to Iran Human Rights, the figures for 2023 were the highest since 2014.

The campaign called for Mohammadi’s acquittal and unconditional release, stating: “This verdict is not only against Sharifeh, it is a declaration of war and a death sentence against all social and civil activists.”

In January, the United Nations called for an end to the “horrific wave of executions” are ongoing; in May alone, 67 executions took place.