Full Breakdown
Iranian Twins Sentenced to Death and Decades in Prison Appeal to the UN
By Drooid · · How we work
The Sentencing of the Rahimi Twins
In early January 2026, 21-year-old sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi were tried in Isfahan for “moharebeh” (waging war against God) after taking part in nationwide protests on 8 and 9 January. At the end of August, a court sentenced Taraneh to death and Romina to 25 years in prison. The twins were seized from their beds by members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps eight months earlier and are now held in Dowlatabad prison in Isfahan.
Legal Appeal to the United Nations
British human-rights lawyers have filed a formal “submission of information” on the sisters’ case with the UN’s special procedures, seeking a review that could prompt the UN Human Rights Council to open talks with Iran. The filing asks the international body to ensure the twins receive a fair trial, protection from torture, medical care, and legal counsel.
Official and Family Responses
President Masoud Pezeshkian told the UN General Assembly in New York this week that Iran is “ready for dialogue and diplomacy.” The twins’ cousin, Masoud Nourmohammadi, an IT engineer living in Utah, said he turned to the UN out of desperation, urging the organization to intervene before it is too late for Taraneh.
Allegations of Abuse and Conditions of Detention
The family alleges that Taraneh was threatened with being forced to watch the rape of her sister if she refused to sign a confession and that she has been limited to eating leftovers from other prisoners. They also claim the sisters have been held in isolation, hearing each other’s screams as torture was inflicted, and that Taraneh requires surgery for injuries sustained during interrogation.
Broader Context of Iran’s Crackdown
The Rahimi case occurs amid a wider crackdown on dissent, with hundreds of protesters across Iran facing death-penalty charges and long prison terms. The UN appeal highlights growing international concern over Iran’s use of severe punishments and alleged torture against demonstrators.
