Broken feet, ripped-out hair and now a death sentence: the fate of twin sisters jailed over Iran protests

What Happened

Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, 20-year-old twins, have been sentenced to death and 25 years in prison, respectively, by the Iranian judiciary following their participation in anti-government protests in Isfahan on January 8 and 9. The sisters were detained in February by masked individuals identified by family members as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) personnel and held in solitary confinement at Dowlatabad prison. According to their US-based cousin, Masoud Nourmohammadi, the women were subjected to physical abuse, including hair-pulling and beatings, and Taraneh Rahimi reported to the court that her confession was coerced through threats of sexual violence against her sister.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The sentencing of the Rahimi sisters is part of a broader state campaign to suppress dissent, with over 500 executions recorded in Iran this year, including at least 29 individuals linked to the January protests. The case underscores the regime's use of capital punishment and physical intimidation to deter public opposition, despite international condemnation from the UK and 30 other nations.

Watch For

Monitor for any potential appeal filings within the 18-day legal window, though family members express skepticism regarding the regime's adherence to its own judicial procedures. Additionally, track further reports from international human rights monitors regarding the status of the more than 70 individuals currently facing protest-related charges in Isfahan.