Tuesday 15 September 2026
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Twin Sisters Sentenced to Death Over Iran Protests, Family Says

Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, 19, were abducted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in January; their mother describes torture and a death sentence.

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By LineZotpaper
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Two 19-year-old twin sisters, Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, have been sentenced to death for their involvement in the January protests against Iran’s regime, according to their mother. The sisters were seized from their beds at night by masked men later identified as agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), and have been subjected to brutal torture including broken feet and ripped-out hair.

Marzieh Nourmohammadi, the twins’ mother, spent four months desperately seeking information from hospitals and state institutions before learning of their fate. During a prison visit in May, she found her daughters unrecognisable due to the abuse they had endured.

According to reports, Taraneh Rahimi was told by prison guards that they would rape her sister Romina if she did not sign a confession. The sisters were 19 and still attending high school when they were taken. Their arrest was linked to their participation in the mass protests that swept Iranian cities in January 2026.

Details of the legal proceedings remain unclear, but the family has indicated that a death sentence has been handed down. The case has drawn attention to the regime’s harsh crackdown on demonstrators, which has included widespread arrests and reported torture of detainees. Human rights organisations have previously criticised Iran’s use of the death penalty against political prisoners.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The case highlights the Iranian regime’s extreme response to the 2026 protest movement, including the use of sexual violence as a coercive tool.
  • The death sentence against teenage protesters underscores the ongoing risk faced by demonstrators and could galvanise international condemnation.
  • The fate of the Rahimi twins may become a symbol for broader human rights abuses in Iran, potentially influencing diplomatic pressure.

Background

Iran has faced periodic waves of protests since the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, but the unrest that began in January 2026 was among the largest in recent years. The IRGC has routinely arrested and detained participants, with allegations of torture and unfair trials widely documented by watchdog groups. The death penalty is frequently used against those convicted of “enmity against God” or “corruption on earth” in connection with protests.

Key Perspectives

The Rahimi family: The mother has described anguish and desperation, with her daughters subjected to horrific abuse and now facing execution for exercising their right to protest. The Iranian government: Authorities view the protesters as threats to national security and have defended the crackdown as necessary to maintain order and stability. Human rights advocates: Groups have condemned the use of the death penalty and torture, calling for immediate international intervention to halt the executions and secure the sisters’ release.

What to Watch

  • International diplomatic response: statements from the UN, EU, and human rights organisations may increase pressure on Tehran.
  • The status of any appeal: whether the Rahimi twins will have access to legal defence or be executed swiftly.
  • Possible protests or unrest inside Iran if the case gains widespread attention, potentially triggering further crackdowns.

Sources

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Articles published under the Zotpaper byline are synthesized from multiple source publications by our AI editor and reviewed by our editorial process. Each story combines reporting from credible outlets to give readers a balanced, comprehensive view.

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