✍︎ Czarhytha Ais B. Omaguing
The individual identified in reports as “Melika Azizi” is an 18-year-old who was reportedly detained following protests in January 2026 in Masal, Gilan Province, Iran.
Judicial authorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran have reportedly confirmed that Azizi was sentenced to death on charges of “enmity against God” (moharebeh), a serious offense under Iranian law.
According to reports, Azizi participated in demonstrations allegedly linked to calls for protest by opposition figure Reza Pahlavi. She was accused of setting fire to symbols of the Islamic regime—an act reportedly carried out in response to the so-called “Bloody Week,” during which hundreds of protesters were reported killed by security forces.
During her trial, following 45 days in solitary confinement—often referred to as “white torture,” a form of psychological detention involving prolonged isolation and sensory deprivation—Azizi reportedly refused to plead for mercy. Instead, she confronted the judge, saying:
“You let so many young people bleed. How can I remain silent? I don’t care—just kill me.”
Some advocacy organizations, including Hands Off Cain, have raised concerns about her reported detention. However, no official confirmation from Iranian authorities or independent international news organizations has verified whether the sentence has been carried out.
The case has sparked wider discussion on freedom of expression and the consequences faced by individuals who participate in acts of protest. For some observers, it highlights the difficult realities confronting those who choose to speak out in restrictive political contexts.
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