CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Reports have emerged from Iran that 23-year-old student Najmeh Amini has been sentenced to death in a case linked to an alleged religiously insulting comment on social media. According to human rights organisations, Amini is an accounting student and is being held in a prison in the Iranian city of Mashhad. International concern is being voiced over her sentence. The sentence is not yet final and can be appealed.
Who is Najmeh Amini? Najmeh Amini is a 23-year-old student from Mashhad in Iran. According to human rights organisations, she was detained in January 2026 during nationwide anti-government protests. Later, after monitoring of her social media activity, reports emerged that she was arrested again in February. She is currently reported to be held at Vakilabad Central Prison in Mashhad.
Sentence handed down over allegation of religious insult
According to reports, Amini was accused of making a comment on social media that Iranian authorities considered an insult to Prophet Muhammad. The allegation falls under the category of a serious offence in Iranian law. However, the exact content of the disputed comment has not been made public.
According to the human rights organisation Iran Human Rights, a criminal court in Mashhad sentenced her to death on a charge related to insulting the Prophet. The defence described the alleged comment as an unintentional mistake and sought relief, but the court did not accept the argument.
Imprisonment in other charges as well
According to the human rights organisation HRANA, Amini has also been sentenced in a separate case to 12 years, six months and one day in prison on charges including activities against national security and anti-government propaganda. The legal proceedings in the two cases were conducted separately.
Provision for death penalty under Iranian law
Under Article 262 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, insulting Prophet Muhammad carries the death penalty. However, Article 263 mentions exceptions in certain circumstances. In Amini’s case, the defence arguments are reported to have been rejected by the court.
Human rights organisations have expressed concern over the verdict, saying that imposing the death penalty for expression on social media raises serious questions about freedom of expression. They say fair trial standards and protection of legal rights must be ensured in such cases.
Option to appeal the sentence
Najmeh Amini’s death sentence is still subject to appeal and review before the Supreme Court. Therefore, it cannot be considered a final decision. Further judicial proceedings will determine whether the sentence is upheld, changed or overturned.
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