Iranian Student, 23, Sentenced to Death Over Social Media Post as She Makes Desperate Appeal From Prison

A 23-year-old Iranian university student has reportedly been sentenced to death over a social media post deemed insulting to the Prophet Muhammad, sparking renewed concern among human rights organizations about freedom of expression and the use of capital punishment in Iran. Najmeh Amini, an accounting student held at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has appealed for international support, urging the United Nations, lawyers and human rights groups to examine her case.

According to human rights organizations, Amini was arrested in early 2026 after Iranian cyber police monitored her online activity. She was subsequently prosecuted in two separate cases. In one proceeding, a criminal court sentenced her to death on a charge commonly translated as insulting the Prophet. In a separate case, she received a prison sentence of 12 years, six months and one day on charges including acting against national security and spreading propaganda against the state.

The exact wording of the social media post that led to the death sentence has not been publicly disclosed. Reports indicate that the case was brought under Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, which makes insulting the Prophet a capital offense. The verdict has drawn criticism from rights advocates, who argue that imposing the death penalty over online expression raises serious concerns about the protection of fundamental freedoms.

During the proceedings, Amini reportedly argued that she had made the remarks while experiencing hallucinations after consuming psychedelic mushrooms with friends. Her defense also described the incident as a slip of the tongue rather than a deliberate act. According to reporting by The Guardian, the judge rejected these arguments and questioned why she had not insulted other people or political opponents if she had truly been hallucinating.

Amini later sent an audio message from prison asking for help and calling for her case to receive international attention. In the recording, she described herself as an innocent young woman with hopes and dreams, and spoke about her family waiting for her. Her appeal has intensified calls from activists for legal scrutiny and intervention to prevent the sentence from being carried out.

Human rights groups have warned that Amini’s case comes amid a broader rise in executions in Iran. Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based organization, said the sentence was particularly alarming because it concerned expression on social media. The organization has urged the international community to press for the verdict to be overturned and for stronger safeguards against executions linked to speech.

Despite the severity of the ruling, Amini’s death sentence is not final. It remains subject to appeal before Iran’s Supreme Court and has not been upheld by the country’s highest court. Her legal fate therefore remains uncertain as rights groups continue to call for scrutiny of the case and protection of her right to a fair trial.

The case has become another focal point in the international debate over Iran’s use of capital punishment, particularly in cases involving religious offenses and online speech. For Amini’s family and supporters, the immediate concern is whether the sentence can be overturned before it is carried out.

Source: The Mirror