The European Union and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have called for the release of Iranian human rights defender and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
Mohammadi was sentenced to two prison terms on February 8: six years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one and a half years for “propaganda activities.”
According to her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, the activist also received a two-year sentence of internal exile to the Iranian city of Khusf, and a two-year travel ban.
Mohammadi, 53, was arrested in December 2025, after a conditional release a year earlier. She has spent over 10 years in prison as a result of multiple sentences.
The European Union said the charges against Narges Mohammadi, VP of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, are based solely on her peaceful advocacy for human rights.
“The EU urges Iranian authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally, taking into consideration her fragile health,” a statement on Tuesday reads.
The union stressed that human rights defenders must be able to raise their voices and carry out their legitimate work without fear of imprisonment or reprisals.
The EU also wants all civilians unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental rights freed, including those arrested during the recent nationwide protests.
In its reaction, France said the sentencing further confirmed Iran’s “repression and intimidation, in defiance of the Iranian people’s fundamental rights, which Narges Mohammadi tirelessly defends.”
Reporters Without Borders said the journalist was accused of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda activities” and sentenced after “another sham trial.”
Jonathan Dagher, Head of the RSF Middle East Desk, called for the immediate release of press freedom defender and all the other unjustly detained journalists in Iran.
“The Iranian regime’s relentless persecution of Narges Mohammadi is unacceptable,” he added, saying the conviction is illustrative of the mass crackdown on journalists since the December 2025 protests.
