The chief of the Norwegian Nobel Committee expressed concern on Saturday over the deteriorating health of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who is currently in Iranian custody. The committee urged Iranian authorities to release her to receive medical care from her specialized medical team.
Mohammadi was admitted to a hospital on Friday due to a significant decline in her health, including instances of unconsciousness and a severe cardiac crisis, as reported by a foundation associated with her family. The Narges Mohammadi Foundation stated that her transfer was necessary as her condition could not be adequately managed within the prison.
Having won the Nobel Peace Prize while incarcerated for advocating women’s rights and opposing the death penalty in Iran, Mohammadi, in her 50s, suffered a suspected heart attack in late March. The foundation provided an update on her unstable condition, noting her need for oxygen support and the recommendation for further tests and specialized treatment at a Tehran hospital.
The committee chair, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, called on Iranian authorities to release Mohammadi for immediate medical attention, emphasizing that her life is at risk. He highlighted her imprisonment solely for her peaceful human rights activism and stressed the responsibility of Iranian authorities in safeguarding her well-being.
In February, Mohammadi received a new prison sentence of seven and a half years, prompting international calls for her release. The Nobel committee previously urged Tehran to free her without delay. Mohammadi was arrested in December following her criticism of the death of lawyer Khosrow Alikordi at a memorial event, as reported by prosecutor Hasan Hematifar.
The foundation disclosed that Mohammadi’s health crisis escalated on Friday morning, leading to her collapse and urgent medical intervention in the prison. Facing severe health risks due to her medical history, the activist’s family demanded the immediate dropping of all charges related to her human rights work and the unconditional annulment of her sentences.
