Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has once again upheld the death sentence of labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi, despite the fact that the ruling had previously been overturned due to multiple legal flaws.
According to Kolbarnews, her defense lawyer, Amir Raeesian, stated: “None of the previous deficiencies have been addressed, yet the Supreme Court has confirmed the death sentence.”
After the initial annulment, the case was referred to Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht, which reissued the death penalty without correcting judicial shortcomings. Now, with the Supreme Court’s confirmation, concerns have grown over the judiciary’s disregard for fundamental principles of fair trial.
Civil and legal activists say this process reflects the transformation of judicial procedures into tools of political repression and pressure on labor activists. Meanwhile, her lawyer and a number of campaigners have stressed that legal efforts to halt the execution will continue.
Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist, was sentenced to death on July 4, 2024, by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on the charge of “rebellion (baghi).” The issuance of this death sentence sparked widespread domestic and international reactions. Her trial session was held on June 8, 2024, in the same branch, on charges of propaganda against the state, acting against national security, and rebellion through membership in one of the opposition parties.Previously, in Branch 4 of the Prosecutor’s Office of Rasht, presided over by Judge Rajabi, she had been formally charged with propaganda against the state, acting against national security, and rebellion through membership in one of the opposition parties.Sharifeh Mohammadi was arrested on December 5, 2023, by intelligence agents at her private residence. On December 30, 2023, she was transferred from Lakan Prison in Rasht to Sanandaj Prison, before eventually being returned to Lakan Prison.Up until 2013, Sharifeh Mohammadi was a member of the Committee for Helping to Form Workers’ Organizations. This labor organization had no ties to Komala (a Kurdish opposition party), yet she was accused of rebellion (baghi) based on alleged membership in that party.
