Iranian Nobel Laureate Faces Imminent Danger After Suspected Heart Attack in Prison
Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner, has reportedly suffered a suspected heart attack while incarcerated in northwestern Iran. Her brother expresses grave concerns over her health status and safety.
– Health Crisis in Prison: Hamidreza Mohammadi, residing in Norway, informed the BBC that his sister, a 53-year-old human rights activist, was found unconscious by fellow inmates at Zanjan Prison last week. Despite a troubling history of heart and lung issues, alongside severe blood pressure fluctuations, prison officials denied her transfer to a hospital for urgent medical care.
– Impact of War on Health: Stress compounded by the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran has worsened her situation. “This war has had a terrible effect on prisoners in Iran. If the prison gets hit, if the prisoners need immediate medical attention, they will not get anything, and their lives are in danger,” Hamidreza warned during an interview.
– Family’s Emotional Turmoil: The uncertainty surrounding Narges’s wellbeing weighs heavily on her family. “Her children have gone through a lot. They now face a very uncertain time, not knowing if their mother will survive, Hamidreza shared.
Background on Narges Mohammadi
Narges Mohammadi is the vice-president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. In 2023, she was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless fight against women’s oppression and her dedication to human rights. Over the years, she has faced significant legal challenges:
– Previous Sentences: In 2021, Mohammadi began serving a 13-year sentence on allegations of “propaganda activity against the state” and “collusion against state security,” charges she firmly denies. After a temporary release for medical reasons in December 2024, she was rearrested following her speech at a memorial for a fellow activist.
– Continued Persecution: During her arrest in Mashhad, family reports detailed that she sustained injuries related to police violence. Protests erupted across Iran shortly thereafter, leading to a brutal crackdown where at least 6,508 protestors were killed and over 53,000 arrested, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
– Recent Developments: In early February, Narges received an additional seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence for “gathering and collusion” and “propaganda activities.” Shortly after, she was moved to Zanjan prison with limited communication with her family.
– Worsening Health Conditions: Reports from the Free Narges Coalition revealed Mohammadi’s health has significantly deteriorated. During a recent visitation, she appeared pale and weak, having lost considerable weight. Her cellmates reported finding her unconscious, and despite clear signs of a heart attack, authorities neglected to provide the necessary medical assistance.
Calls for Immediate Action
Hamidreza Mohammadi emphasized the urgent need for his sister’s release, arguing that under Iranian law, prisoners unable to guarantee their safety during wartime should be allowed to seek medical care outside prison walls. “Our demand is that she be immediately released for a thorough medical examination. We know her history of heart and pulmonary problems; she must be in a hospital.”
Related Concerns in Human Rights Advocacy
In a separate incident, Iranian human rights lawyer and Sakharov Prize winner Nasrin Sotoudeh has also been arrested. Her daughter reported that Sotoudeh was detained at home, with electronic devices confiscated, and the whereabouts unknown. Sotoudeh, a vocal opponent of governmental repression, had previously faced severe sentences and has been imprisoned multiple times for her activism.
As the situation persists, the fate of Narges Mohammadi raises urgent questions about human rights and the treatment of political prisoners in Iran. Calls for her immediate release resonate alongside similar demands for the countless individuals suffering under oppressive conditions. The global community’s attention is critical in this pivotal moment, as Narges’s life hangs in the balance.