Calls grow over hospital care for jailed Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi

Calls grow over hospital care for jailed – Amid escalating concerns about her deteriorating health, the family of Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights advocate and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has intensified calls for her to receive proper medical treatment. Her relatives, alongside the Nobel Committee, have emphasized the urgency of relocating her to specialized facilities after reports surfaced of a severe decline in her condition. This development has sparked renewed international scrutiny over the treatment of political prisoners in Iran, particularly those with pre-existing medical complications.

Health Crisis and Family Urgency

On Friday, Mohammadi’s family confirmed that she was taken from her detention in north-west Iran to a local hospital, describing the move as an emergency intervention. Her brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, based in Norway, shared with the BBC that her blood pressure had plummeted, and medical staff were unable to stabilize her. “Her current problems include low blood pressure and a heart attack, but her previous conditions, such as pulmonary embolism (…) and having undergone stenting and angiography, make any treatment by the doctors in Zanjan effectively impossible,” he said.

“Her current problems include low blood pressure and a heart attack, but her previous conditions, such as pulmonary embolism (…) and having undergone stenting and angiography, make any treatment by the doctors in Zanjan effectively impossible.” – Hamidreza Mohammadi

The family’s statement, released through the Narges Mohammadi Foundation, noted that the hospital transfer occurred “after 140 days of arbitrary detention and the persistent denial of specialised healthcare.” This comes as her brother urged for her to be moved to a Tehran hospital, where her former specialists could continue her care. “Her sister should be transferred to a hospital in Tehran so that her own specialists, who have treated her previously, can take over her care,” he explained.

Nobel Laureate’s Arrest and Detention

Mohammadi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for her advocacy, was arrested in December 2024 on charges of criticizing the Iranian government. Her family has long highlighted her activism, which includes campaigns for women’s rights, freedom of expression, and the rights of prisoners. A spokesperson for her foundation stated that she had been detained for 140 days before the hospital transfer, during which her health had not received adequate attention.

Her health issues have been a recurring theme throughout her detention. Last month, her brother reported that she was found unconscious by fellow inmates at Zanjan Prison after suffering a suspected heart attack. Despite her documented history of cardiac, lung, and blood pressure problems, officials initially refused to move her to a medical facility, according to his account. This decision has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and her supporters, who argue that her condition has been ignored for too long.

Temporary Release and Subsequent Arrest

In December 2024, Mohammadi was temporarily released from Tehran’s Evin Prison, a notorious facility known for holding political prisoners, on medical grounds. During her brief time outside, she continued her activism, participating in public events and speeches. However, her release was short-lived, as she was re-arrested in the north-eastern city of Mashhad in late December 2024 following a speech at a memorial for a fellow human rights activist.

Her family claimed that she was taken to a hospital after being beaten during her arrest. This incident, combined with her ongoing health complications, has raised questions about the conditions of her imprisonment and the treatment she has received since her initial detention. The Narges Mohammadi Foundation has also detailed her legal history, noting that she has been arrested 13 times over the years and sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison, along with 154 lashes, for her activism.

Legal Sentence and Current Situation

Following her arrest in December 2024, Mohammadi was sentenced by a Revolutionary Court in early February 2025 to an additional seven-and-a-half years in prison for charges of “gathering and collusion” and “propaganda activities.” Her lawyer confirmed the ruling, which came after she was convicted of these offenses. Despite the severity of the sentence, her family has remained vocal in demanding better medical care for her.

Shortly after the sentencing, she was transferred without prior notice to Zanjan Prison, where she has faced limited communication with her relatives. This abrupt move has further fueled concerns about the fairness of her legal process and the conditions of her confinement. The family asserts that her health issues have been a critical factor in her detention, yet access to proper medical treatment has been consistently denied.

The situation has drawn attention from the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, which has also expressed worry about her survival. Jorgen Watne Frydnes, head of the committee, told Reuters that Mohammadi’s life remains at risk due to the inadequate medical care she has received. This statement aligns with the family’s insistence that her health has deteriorated to a point where specialized facilities are essential.

“Mohammadi’s life remains at risk.” – Jorgen Watne Frydnes, Nobel Peace Prize Committee

Throughout her imprisonment, Mohammadi has been a symbol of resistance against the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses. Her 2023 Nobel Prize, which recognized her work in advocating for women’s rights and human dignity, has underscored her importance on the global stage. However, her continued detention has raised questions about the Iranian government’s commitment to honoring her award.

Her family’s efforts to secure her medical care reflect a broader pattern of advocacy for political prisoners in Iran. They have consistently highlighted her history of health challenges, including cardiac and pulmonary issues, as evidence of the risks she faces. With her current condition, they argue, the delay in transferring her to a specialized hospital could have irreversible consequences.

The international community has been monitoring her situation closely, with calls for her to be released or transferred to a more suitable medical facility. Her case has become a focal point for discussions about the treatment of women in Iranian prisons and the use of arbitrary detention as a tool to suppress dissent. As her health continues to decline, the urgency for action grows, not only for her but also for other activists facing similar circumstances.

In the wake of her recent hospitalization, there has been a renewed push for the Iranian government to address the medical neglect of political prisoners. The Narges Mohammadi Foundation, which has been active in publicizing her situation, has emphasized the need for immediate intervention. They also noted that her health issues have been exacerbated by the conditions of her detention, including limited access to medical supplies and delayed care.

Her family’s persistent advocacy highlights the personal toll of her imprisonment. Despite being taken to a hospital, they remain concerned about the long-term effects of her health decline and the lack of proper medical resources available to her. The situation has prompted calls for greater international support, with human rights groups urging the Iranian authorities to prioritize her well-being.

As the world watches, the fate of Mohammadi remains uncertain. Her case serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by activists in Iran, where detention and restricted access to healthcare are often used to weaken opposition. The ongoing efforts to secure her medical care underscore the determination of her family and supporters to ensure she receives the treatment she urgently needs.