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Amir Raisian, the lawyer of Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist, confirmed to Shargh Daily that Iran’s Supreme Court has upheld her death sentence. Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, which had previously overturned the ruling, confirmed it this time despite significant ambiguities and flaws in the case. Raisian stated that none of the deficiencies have been resolved and that efforts will continue to seek a retrial and overturn the execution order through other legal means.
The Campaign to Defend Sharifeh Mohammadi condemned the ruling as “unjust,” and said that her case was fabricated by the Ministry of Intelligence rather than built on justice. They assert that the processes of arrest, interrogation, accusation, and sentencing lacked independence and impartiality. Mohammadi’s first death sentence was issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht, presided over by Judge Ahmad Darvish-Goftar, on July 8, 2024. She had been charged with “baghi,” or armed rebellion against the Islamic Republic. After an initial annulment by the Supreme Court, the case was referred to Branch 2 of the same court, headed by Judge Mohammad Ali Darvish-Goftar, his son, where the death penalty was reissued. Now, the Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence following the retrial.
Sharifeh Mohammadi was arrested on December 5, 2023, by security agents while returning from work. She was initially held in solitary confinement for almost three months in Rasht and Sanandaj and later transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht, where she remains.
The allegations against Mohammadi have centered on supposed links to the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan, which is considered a terrorist group by the Iranian government. A source close to her family accused the authorities of fabricating the charges. Even a family acquaintance named Alizadeh was cited against her solely because his name resembled that of a Kurdish opposition leader.
Additional evidence presented included: personal friendships with individuals allegedly tied to Komala, possession of a “No to Execution” poster, files supporting detained women in Gilan, an article titled “The Role in the Zhina Uprising,” participation in a Telegram group called “Goftogoo (Dialogue),” authorship of an article titled “Guide for Detained Labor Activists in Interrogation,” and holding the email account of the Committee for the Establishment of Workers’ Organizations.
The ‘Coordination Committee for the Assistance in Establishing Workers’ Organization’ was an independent labor body, established without ties to employers, the government, or political parties and organizations. A significant number of workers and labor activists from across the country joined it. Following the arrest of its members, the committee ceased its activities and has remained inactive for many years. Mohammadi’s family stressed that her activities in the Committee ended in 2012 and had no connection to armed struggle.
Reports indicate that Mohammadi was subjected to 200 days without access to legal counsel, prolonged solitary confinement, psychological torture, threats, humiliation, and forced confessions under duress. Her husband, labor activist Siros Fathi, was also detained for nine days after her arrest. Following her detention, a campaign for her release was launched and gained international attention.
The confirmation of Mohammadi’s death sentence comes amid wider concerns. Shortly after her verdict, another Kurdish activist, Pakhshan Azizi, was sentenced to death, while Varisheh Moradi faced charges of baghi. In response, 229 Iranian lawyers issued a public statement demanding an immediate halt to these executions, condemning the judicial process as lacking transparency, fairness, and impartiality. They warned that such sentences would deepen distrust in the justice system and increase feelings of discrimination among Kurdish citizens.
The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) strongly condemns the Islamic Republic of Iran’s decision to uphold this sentence amid credible evidence of torture, prolonged denial of access to legal counsel, and lack of due process in violation of Iran’s human rights obligations. We call on the authorities to halt the execution of Sharifeh Mohammadi, and take systemic actions to uphold their international legal obligations to ensure justice, fairness, and human dignity.
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