A blogger identified as Marzieh 'Sevda' Ebrahimi Shamsabadi has reportedly been sentenced to death in Iran for charges including insulting the country's supreme leader and engaging in propaganda against national security.
Shamsabadi, 33, is currently held in Bandar Abbas Prison. Her conviction was handed down by Branch 3 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court, according to information from Iran International. The charges also include conducting intelligence and security activities on behalf of hostile governments and photographing a missile strike site, which authorities claim was sent to a Persian-language media organization outside Iran.
Prior to her detention, Shamsabadi posted a message on her Instagram account to her approximately 10,000 followers, stating, "If one day I leave this world, just know one thing – I chose the path I believed in." The post, which featured images of a dove and a rose against a black background, was interpreted as a preparation for death in opposition to authorities.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that Shamsabadi was sentenced to death for "corruption on earth." In addition to the death penalty, she is believed to have received prison sentences ranging from two to five years. The court also ordered the confiscation of her property and restricted her access to certain government and public services.
Her lawyer was informed of the death sentence on August 23, with the judgment reportedly issued by Judge Khajeh-Hassani. The final Instagram post was made on February 23, before her arrest. Sources indicate Shamsabadi was held in solitary confinement for 20 days and faced significant pressure during interrogations.
Shamsabadi, who has reportedly suffered from multiple sclerosis for about six years, in addition to psoriasis, narcolepsy, and gastric colic, has seen her health deteriorate in prison, according to a source familiar with her condition who spoke to HRANA.
This sentence occurs amid heightened international scrutiny of Iran's execution of protesters and political detainees. Iran Human Rights reported that at least 29 individuals detained in connection with protests in January have been executed since March. The Abdorrahman Boroumand Centre, based in the U.S., documented 950 executions in Iran by late August of this year, including at least 20 women and 30 protesters.