Iranian influencer, 33, arrested and sentenced to death for ‘insulting Supreme Leader’ after chilling Instagram post

AN IRANIAN influencer has been sentenced to death for allegedly insulting the Supreme Leader – just months after sharing a chilling social media post. Marzieh “Sevda” Ebrahimi Shamsabadi, 33, is being held by security forces in Bandar Abbas Prison following her arrest earlier this year. Marzieh “Sevda” Ebrahimi Shamsabadi, 33, has been sentenced to death in Iran Credit: Jam Press/sevda ebrahimi The influencer was arrested earlier this year Credit: Jam Press/sevda ebrahimi Before the blogger was detained and convicted, Sevda left a chilling final message for her roughly 10,000 Instagram followers. She wrote: “If one day I leave this world, just know one thing – I chose the path I believed in.” Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The post’s caption suggested she was prepared to die in her opposition to the mullah fanatics. Her foreboding message appeared against a black background alongside images of a white dove and red rose. She was accused of mocking former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Credit: AFP She suffers from numerous health issues Credit: Jam Press/sevda ebrahimi The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said Sevda was sentenced to death for so-called “corruption on earth”. She was accused of insulting the supreme leader, posting anti-regime “propaganda”. Sevda was also alleged to have conducted intelligence and security activity on behalf of “hostile governments”. Another allegation against her revolved around a photograph she is said to have took from a distance of a site struck by a missile. Most read in The Sun She shared a chilling Instagram post just months earlier Credit: Jam Press/sevda ebrahimi Iran has previously been accused of using violence against protesters Credit: Jam Press/sevda ebrahimi Tehran claimed she sent the image to a Persian-language media organisation based outside Iran. In addition to the barbaric death penalty, Sevda was also handed a prison sentence of up to five years. Her property was also seized and she was barred from accessing some government and public services. The influencer’s lawyer was notified of the death sentence on August 23, according to Iran International. The online star was accused of mocking the Supreme Leader Credit: Jam Press/sevda ebrahimi Seven other women were sentenced to death, including four in cases linked to the January protests Credit: Reuters The judgement was reportedly delivered by Judge Khajeh-Hassani. Her chilling Instagram post was shared on February 23 and was the last publication on her account before her detention. She was allegedly kept in solitary confinement for 20 days and subjected to severe pressure during questioning. Sevda, who has reportedly suffered from multiple sclerosis for years, was born in Arak, raised in Tehran and later moved to Bandar Abbas. She is additionally said to have psoriasis, narcolepsy and gastric colic. A source familiar with her condition told HRANA that her health had deteriorated in prison, raising concerns because of her multiple illnesses. Sevda was sentenced to death alongside seven other woman – including four in cases linked to the January protests in Iran. Tehran has long faced mounting scrutiny over its brutal use of capital punishment and public executions against protesters of the regime. At least 29 people detained in connection with the January mass demonstrations have been executed since March, according to Iran Human Rights. The US-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center said it had documented 950 executions in Iran during 2026 by late August. The organisation said those executed included at least 20 women and 30 protesters.