Liguria Regional Council calls for release of Iranian student Najmeh Amini

The Liguria Regional Council has voted unanimously to demand the release of Najmeh Amini, a 23-year-old Iranian student sentenced to death. Amini was convicted of blasphemy, specifically the capital offense of ‘sabb al-nabi’ (insulting the Prophet Muhammad), following social media posts.

Her legal defense has argued that the posts were unintentional, with Amini claiming she was under the influence of hallucinogenic mushrooms at the time. The council has urged the Italian government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to represent this solidarity to the European Union and the United Nations to prevent her execution and seek the annulment of her sentences.

Human rights advocates note that Amini’s case reflects an escalation in the use of the death penalty for political and religious offenses in Iran. According to the Center for Human Rights in Iran, at least eight other women currently face execution on charges related to national security or political dissent.