Najmeh Amini sentenced to death for social media post in Iran
A 23-year-old Iranian accounting student was sentenced to death. The charge: a social media post insulting the prophet.
Najmeh Amini, 23, has been sentenced to death for blasphemy over a social media post in Iran. Amini is held in a prison in Mashhad and faces a separate 12-year sentence for acting against national security and spreading propaganda.
According to her family, Amini was arrested after Iran's cyber police detected her online activity. The court rejected her defense that she posted while experiencing hallucinations after taking psychedelic mushrooms.
Human rights groups say Iran is using capital punishment more to suppress dissent and silence peaceful speech. More than 600 executions have taken place in Iran this year.
Amini's sentence is not final and can be appealed. Her case shows how the government tests the world's tolerance of the death penalty for speech.
- Najmeh Amini, 23, accounting student
- The defendant
- Vakilabad prison in Mashhad
- Where held
- 12 years, 6 months, 1 day
- Additional sentence
- More than 600 in Iran
- Executions this year
Why it mattersThe case shows more use of capital punishment in Iran. It targets civilians for peaceful online speech. Human rights advocates are alarmed.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but Australian human rights organisations and lawmakers are watching Iran's crackdown as it may affect asylum seekers and exiled Iranians in Australia seeking safe passage for family members.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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