TEHRAN / OTTAWA — In a move that has sparked international condemnation, Iranian authorities have sentenced Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to an additional seven-and-a-half years in prison. The ruling, confirmed on 08 February 2026, comes as the activist’s health reportedly reaches a critical state following a six-day hunger strike.
The new sentence, handed down by an Iranian court, includes six years for “gathering and collusion to commit crimes” and an additional year-and-a-half for “propaganda against the state.” According to the Narges Foundation, this latest development brings her total required time behind bars to 17 years. The court also reportedly ordered a period of internal exile once her sentence is completed.
Mohammadi, 53, was most recently arrested in December 2025 while attending a memorial ceremony in Mashhad. A lifelong advocate for women’s rights and the abolition of the death penalty, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while already incarcerated in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.
Hunger Strike and Health Alarms
Supporters confirmed that Mohammadi ended her hunger strike today, 09 February 2026, after six days of refusing food to protest her detention and the Iranian judiciary’s treatment of political prisoners. However, her foundation warned that her physical condition remains “deeply alarming,” citing long-standing heart issues and the cumulative toll of multiple prison terms.
The sentencing is being viewed by international observers as part of a wider crackdown on dissent in Iran. “This is a transparent effort to silence one of the most powerful voices for reform at a time when the state is tightening its grip on all forms of activism,” noted a report from the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights.
International Reaction
The global community has reacted with swift criticism of the Tehran judiciary:
- Human Rights Watch: Called the sentencing a “travesty of justice” and urged for her immediate release on medical grounds.
- Global Advocates: Various NGOs have called on the United Nations to intervene, citing the “systematic judicial harassment” Mohammadi has faced for over 20 years.
- Diplomatic Pressure: While nuclear talks are reportedly resuming in the region, Western diplomats have expressed concern that the targeting of high-profile figures like Mohammadi complicates the diplomatic landscape.
Mohammadi’s husband and children, who live in exile in France, have not seen her in years. Despite her deteriorating health and the mounting years of her sentence, Mohammadi remains the vice president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC) and continues to be a symbol of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement from within her cell.
Reporting by Canada Wire News Desk. All figures in CAD ($) where applicable. Last Updated: 09 February 2026.