Iranian human rights campaigner Narges Mohammadi, a 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was transferred from Zanjan prison to a Tehran hospital on Sunday after her health significantly deteriorated, raising urgent concerns among international rights groups and her family.
The Narges Mohammadi Foundation announced that authorities granted Mohammadi a sentence suspension on heavy bail, facilitating her move to Tehran Pars Hospital. This development follows warnings from her family and supporters last week that she was at risk of dying in prison after reportedly suffering two heart attacks earlier this year.
Deteriorating Health and Imprisonment
Mohammadi, 54, has been a prominent figure in the fight against female oppression and for human rights in Iran. Her health has reportedly declined sharply during her incarceration. According to her Paris-based husband, her general condition is not favorable, and her status remains unstable.
Her lawyer, Chirinne Ardakani, stated that Mohammadi has lost approximately 20kg (three stone) in prison and is experiencing difficulty speaking, to the point where she is barely recognizable. She had previously spent 10 days hospitalized in Zanjan before this latest transfer.
Legal Battles and Activism
Mohammadi has been serving a lengthy sentence since 2021, initially facing a 13-year term on charges of “propaganda activity against the state” and “collusion against state security,” charges she has consistently denied.
Her legal troubles continued even after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. In December 2024, she was arrested for allegedly making “provocative remarks” at a memorial ceremony. Her family reported she was beaten during this arrest and subsequently taken to the hospital.
Adding to her sentence, a Revolutionary Court convicted her in early February of “gathering and collusion” and “propaganda activities,” resulting in an additional seven-and-a-half years imprisonment, according to her lawyer.
Concerns for her life intensified last month when her brother, Hamidreza, reported that Mohammadi was found unconscious by fellow inmates at Zanjan prison following a suspected heart attack.
Calls for Unconditional Freedom
The Narges Mohammadi Foundation emphasized that a sentence suspension is insufficient, stating that the activist requires “permanent, specialised care.” The foundation issued a strong call for her unconditional freedom and the dismissal of all charges.
“We must ensure she never returns to prison to face the 18 years remaining on her sentence,” the statement read. The foundation argued that “no human and women’s rights activists should ever be imprisoned for their peaceful work.”
International Scrutiny and Implications
Mohammadi’s case has drawn significant international attention, particularly following her Nobel Peace Prize win. Her imprisonment and deteriorating health highlight the ongoing human rights challenges in Iran and the risks faced by activists.
Her transfer to a hospital and the granting of bail represent a small victory for her supporters, but the focus now shifts to her long-term well-being and the broader implications for human rights advocacy within the country. The international community will likely continue to monitor her condition and the Iranian government’s actions closely.
The situation raises questions about the treatment of political prisoners and dissidents in Iran. The demand for her unconditional release underscores the global movement for freedom of expression and the rights of women and activists.
Moving forward, the key developments to watch will be Mohammadi’s recovery, the conditions under which her bail is maintained, and whether Iranian authorities will eventually drop the charges against her. The durability of her health and the sustained pressure from international bodies and human rights organizations will be critical factors in determining her future.
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