Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi denounced the upcoming June 28 snap presidential election in Iran, calling it a facade orchestrated by an oppressive regime.

In a message from Evin Prison in Tehran on Saturday, Mohammadi said:

“I will not participate in the illegal elections of the oppressive and illegitimate government.”

Mohammadi questioned the integrity of the elections, highlighting the contradiction in the government's actions.

“How can you, while holding a sword, gallows, weapons, and prisons against the people with one hand, place a ballot box in front of the same people with the other hand, and deceitfully and falsely call them to the polls?”

Mohammadi further criticized the true intent behind the elections:

“The only purpose of holding elections for a regime that believes in repression, terror, and violence as the sole means to maintain power is not to uphold democracy and the rights of the people but to consolidate power and tyranny. Such elections will not bring legitimacy to the Islamic Republic.”

Six hand-picked candidates approved by Iran’s Guardian Council have been allowed to run in the presidential elections amid strict media control, while Iranian media and government officials admit a low level of voter interest.