In a move that will surprise absolutely no one familiar with the Islamic Republic's judicial system, twin sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi have been handed what can only be described as a 'mixed verdict' for their participation in January's anti-government protests: one death sentence, one 25-year prison term. Because why not? Consistency is for amateurs.

The 20-year-old twins were yanked from their beds at gunpoint in February by masked men later identified as Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps operatives, a full month after they joined millions on the streets of Isfahan. Their mother, Marzieh Nourmohammadi, spent four months frantically searching hospitals and state institutions before learning her daughters were in Dowlatabad prison. When she finally saw them in May, she didn't recognize her own children: patchy scalps from being dragged by the hair, swollen faces, bruises, broken elbows, knuckles, and feet. Taraneh, who dreams of running a horse stable, was allegedly told that if she didn't sign a confession, guards would rape her sister in front of her. Charming.

The court offered no explanation for the sentencing disparity. Their cousin, Masoud Nourmohammadi, a healthcare IT specialist in Utah, noted that the regime doesn't even follow its own laws, skipping the 18-day appeal window in many recent execution cases. He suspects Taraneh's obvious innocence - visible in her kind eyes, apparently - made her a prime candidate for execution, a message to protesters: 'We can get you, no matter how innocent.'

Iran has executed over 500 people this year, including at least 29 connected to the January protests, with at least 16 women among them. Hundreds more face possible death sentences, including over 70 in Isfahan alone. The UK and 30 other countries signed a joint statement condemning the executions, but the regime appears unmoved. Nourmohammadi, who has received death threats for speaking out, insists the sisters' case should galvanize efforts to end the Islamic regime. The sisters' lawyers claim no evidence of violence was presented, and their confessions were obtained under torture. But who needs evidence when you have a message to send?