Stories
Iranian Student Najmeh Amini Sentenced to Death Over Social Media Posts
- •Najmeh Amini, a 23-year-old accounting student, was sentenced to death in Iran for blasphemy after cyber police monitored her social media activity.
- •She was arrested in January during nationwide anti-government protests in Mashhad and detained at Vakilabad Central Prison.
- •Authorities accused her of making offensive remarks about the Twelve Infallible Imams and the Prophet Muhammad, charges she stated were posted while experiencing hallucinations from mushrooms.
- •Amini also faces a separate sentence of over 12 years for acting against national security and spreading propaganda against the regime.
- •Human rights organizations have condemned the ruling, warning that it expands the use of capital punishment against peaceful online expression and urging international intervention.
Key Questions Answered
Najmeh Amini is a 23-year-old accounting student from Mashhad, Iran, who was sentenced to death for blasphemy by the Khorasan Razavi Criminal Court. She was arrested by Iran's Cyber Police in January during nationwide anti-government protests over her social media posts, which authorities claimed contained vulgar and offensive remarks about the Twelve Infallible Imams.
During her court proceedings, Amini stated that she had consumed hallucinogenic mushrooms with friends and made the controversial social media remarks while experiencing hallucinations, getting carried away in that state. Her lawyer also described the statement as a mere slip of the tongue.
Aside from the death sentence issued in her blasphemy case by Branch 6 of the Khorasan Razavi Criminal Court, Amini received a separate prison sentence of more than 12 years. Specifically, she was sentenced to 12 years, six months, and one day for offenses including acting against national security and spreading propaganda against the regime.
