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The dreadful cost of Iran's protests: broken feet, plucked hair and death sentence
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsLean Progressive9/8/2026

The dreadful cost of Iran's protests: broken feet, plucked hair and death sentence

The article reports on the brutal repression faced by two Iranian sisters, Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, who participated in protests against the Iranian regime in January 2023. After the crackdown, they were detained overnight by masked men affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and taken to an unknown location. Their mother, Marzieh Nourmohammadi, spent four months searching for them before learning they had been arrested for their involvement in the protests. During her visit to the prison in May, she was shocked to see her daughters severely injured, with broken limbs, swollen faces, and bald heads due to being dragged by their hair. They were held in solitary confinement and subjected to psychological pressure, including threats of sexual assault against their sister if they did not confess to wrongdoing. Both were later sentenced, Taraneh to death and Romina to 25 years in prison, with the family denied access to the trial. Legal representatives stated there were no evidence presented at the trial linking the girls to violence, and Taraneh claimed her confession was obtained through torture. The article highlights the broader pattern of state violence against protesters,

In late January, two 19-year-old Iranian twins, Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, were arrested during widespread anti-government protests in Isfahan. The young women, who were still attending high school, were taken from their beds in the middle of the night by masked individuals believed to be affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Their mother, Marzieh Nourmohammadi, spent nearly four months searching for them through hospitals and government institutions before learning of their arrest. She was eventually allowed to visit them in May at Dowlatabad prison, where she barely recognized her daughters due to severe injuries and physical abuse. According to the family, the twins suffered extensive harm during their detention. They reportedly had swollen faces, bruises all over their bodies, broken wrists, fingers, and feet, and had lost much of their hair due to being dragged by their hair between prison cells. Both were kept in isolation for extended periods. During their time in custody, Taraneh was allegedly threatened with sexual violence against her sister unless she signed a confession of guilt. The twins faced separate legal consequences. Taraneh was sentenced to death for participating in the January protests, while her sister Romina received a 25-year prison term. Neither sister’s family attended the trial, which was conducted without presenting any evidence linking them to violent acts. According to their lawyers, all confessions attributed to Taraneh were obtained through torture. The arrests and subsequent trials of the twins highlight the harsh measures taken by Iranian authorities against protesters. The protests, which began in late 2022 and continued into early 2023, saw millions of Iranians taking to the streets across major cities. Despite ongoing military conflicts with the United States and Israel, Iran has reportedly killed more than 500 people this year, including at least 29 linked to the January protests. Among these victims are at least 16 women, and hundreds of other protesters face charges carrying the death penalty. The case of the Rahimi twins has drawn attention within the Iranian diaspora, particularly among those living in the United States. Their cousin, Masoud Nourmohammadi, who resides in Utah, expressed disbelief at the actions of the regime. He stated that the legal process violated Iran's own laws, which allow for appeals within 18 days of a verdict. However, he noted that such procedures are often ignored in cases involving protesters sentenced to death. Despite the international attention surrounding the issue, the family has not seen either of the twins since the sentencing. The situation underscores the broader crackdown on dissent in Iran, where the government continues to enforce strict repression against those challenging its authority. The fate of the twins remains uncertain, with no further updates expected soon.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 3 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

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3 reports

Nova24TV logoNova24TVParty-alignedProgressiveFactual 85Objective 809/8/2026
In an Iranian prison, they were tortured, their hair pulled out and threatened with rape: one of the twins sentenced to death by hanging

Two teenage sisters, Taraneh Rahimi and Romina Rahimi, were arrested in January 2026 for participating in anti-government protests in Isfahan, Iran. They were subjected to severe torture, including beatings, hair pulling, and threats of sexual assault, while held in custody. After four months of searching, their mother finally learned of their arrest. The sisters were sentenced to death and 25 years in prison respectively, with no family present at the sentencing. Their brother, living in the U.S., reported visible injuries and missing hair, indicating physical abuse. The Iranian regime continues to execute numerous protesters, including women, despite international condemnation.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the Iranian government's actions as unjust and oppressive, emphasizing the severity of the torture and the arbitrary nature of the sentencing. It highlights the lack of due process and the state's use of violence against peaceful protesters, which aligns with left-leaning critique

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the twins' arrest, their treatment in custody, and their subsequent sentences based on the primary source. However, it omits some specific details such as the cousin's comments about the regime not following its own laws and the broader context of executions in Iran. T

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a generally neutral tone, presenting facts without overt bias. However, phrases like 'drznili pridružiti' (dared to join) imply judgment, and the headline uses emotionally charged terms like 'mučili' (tortured) and 'grozili s posilstvom' (threatened with rape), which may influe

N1 Slovenija logoN1 SlovenijaIndependentProgressiveFactual 78Objective 659/6/2026
The dreadful cost of Iran's protests: broken feet, plucked hair and death sentence

The article reports on the brutal repression faced by two Iranian sisters, Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, who participated in protests against the Iranian regime in January 2023. After the crackdown, they were detained overnight by masked men affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and taken to an unknown location. Their mother, Marzieh Nourmohammadi, spent four months searching for them before learning they had been arrested for their involvement in the protests. During her visit to the prison in May, she was shocked to see her daughters severely injured, with broken limbs, swollen faces, and bald heads due to being dragged by their hair. They were held in solitary confinement and subjected to psychological pressure, including threats of sexual assault against their sister if they did not confess to wrongdoing. Both were later sentenced, Taraneh to death and Romina to 25 years in prison, with the family denied access to the trial. Legal representatives stated there were no evidence presented at the trial linking the girls to violence, and Taraneh claimed her confession was obtained through torture. The article highlights the broader pattern of state violence against protesters,

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the Iranian government's actions as extreme repression and human rights violations, emphasizing the brutality and lack of due process. It portrays the regime as systematically targeting peaceful protesters, using terms like 'brutal represion,' 'mučenje' (torture), and 'usmrtitev'

Why factuality (78): This article corroborates the previous report, mentioning the twins' participation in protests, their arrest by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, and the mother's search for them. It includes quotes from the brother-in-law and references to Guardian reporting. The facts are consistent with the first

Why objectivity (65): While more concise, the article still uses emotive language to describe the twins' suffering and the mother's distress. The emphasis on the 'brutal repression' suggests a narrative favoring the victims and critical perspective of the Iranian government.

24ur (POP TV) logo24ur (POP TV)IndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 609/6/2026
They were taken away in the middle of the night, their hair was pulled out, they were beaten and sentenced to death.

Two 19-year-old twin sisters, Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, were arrested during anti-government protests in January and subjected to severe torture, including being dragged by their hair and beaten. Their mother, Marzieh Nourmohammadi, searched for four months before discovering their fate. The twins were held in solitary confinement and suffered extensive injuries, including broken bones and severe bruising. Taraneh was sentenced to death, while her sister received 25 years in prison. Their family claims the confessions were obtained through coercion, and no evidence of involvement in violent acts was presented at trial. The sisters had never participated in protests before. Despite ongoing war with the U.S. and Israel, Iran has executed over 500 people this year, including at least 29 linked to the January protests, and many others face death sentences.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the arrest, torture, and sentencing of two individuals involved in anti-government protests in Iran. It includes quotes from family members and legal representatives, providing multiple perspectives without overtly favoring one side. The tone remains客观,

Why factuality (75): The article reports on the arrest and mistreatment of twin sisters in Iran, citing sources like The Guardian and family members. It provides details about their physical condition, the involvement of Iranian Revolutionary Guards, and the severity of their sentences. While there is no primary source

Why objectivity (60): The tone is emotionally charged, particularly when describing the sisters' physical state and the mother's reaction. There is a clear focus on the brutality of the regime, which may reflect a bias towards highlighting human rights violations rather than presenting a balanced view.

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