A 21-year-old Iranian woman is facing the death penalty after taking part in anti-government protests in the central city of Isfahan, according to relatives and human rights groups.
Taraneh Rahimi and her twin sister, Romina, joined protests in Isfahan on January 8 and 9, chanting slogans against the Iranian authorities. The sisters were arrested about a week later after security forces raided their home, according to relatives living outside Iran.
The sisters were later among 16 people brought before a court inside an Isfahan prison. They were accused of involvement in the deaths of a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and a homeless person during the unrest. Taraneh was sentenced to death on a charge described as “waging war against God,” while Romina received a 36-year prison sentence, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.
Taraneh’s family says she has serious health problems, including knee pain following surgery. Her cousin, Masoud Nourmohammadi, told AFP that doctors recommended treatment at a hospital outside the prison, but authorities did not allow the transfer. He also alleged that she was subjected to physical and psychological torture while detained.
The family further alleges that the sisters were pressured to provide confessions. Human rights groups have raised concerns about the legal process, saying defence lawyers were not given adequate access to case materials before the trial.
Taraneh’s cousin described her as a compassionate person who loves animals and had dreamed of becoming a horse rider. She had worked at a shoe shop near the square where the protests took place.
Her death sentence remains subject to appeal. According to the report, Iran has already executed 29 people in connection with the protests, all of them men so far. Rights groups have criticised the trials, while Iranian authorities maintain that those prosecuted were involved in violent unrest.
Human rights organisations say several other women are also facing capital punishment in connection with protest-related or security charges, highlighting continuing international concern over executions in Iran.
