Narges Mohammadi, the Iranian activist who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while incarcerated, has been moved to a Tehran hospital and has been granted a suspension of her prison sentence on heavy bail, the foundation run by her family said on Sunday.
The 54-year-old, who won the prize for her campaign to advance women's rights and to abolish the death penalty, suffered a heart attack two weeks ago while detained. Her family had sought her transfer from the prison in Zanjan, northwest of Tehran, where she had been serving her sentence and where she was initially taken to hospital.
In a statement, the Narges Mohammadi Foundation said Mohammadi was transferred by ambulance to Tehran and is currently at Tehran Pars Hospital receiving treatment from her own medical team.
The foundation noted that Mohammadi was sentenced to a new term of 7-1/2 years, reporting this as a development disclosed in February. That sentencing was announced weeks before the U.S. and Israel launched their war against Iran, the foundation said. At the time of the new sentence, the Nobel committee had called for her immediate release.
Mohammadi's detention followed her arrest in December after she publicly denounced the death of lawyer Khosrow Alikordi. A prosecutor later told reporters that she had made provocative remarks at Alikordi's memorial ceremony.
The foundation did not provide details about the terms of the bail or the mechanics of the suspension of her sentence. It emphasized that a temporary suspension is insufficient, saying, "However, a suspension is not enough." The statement continued: "Narges Mohammadi requires permanent, specialized care. We must ensure she never returns to prison."
The family-run group also highlighted broader restrictions on communication and the security context inside the country. Iran shut down most of its internet in January as authorities moved to suppress mass protests that had been sparked by economic unease. Rights groups have reported ongoing executions of people involved in the unrest.
The foundation's announcement framed Mohammadi's transfer and medical care as immediate steps, but left unresolved questions about the long-term legal and medical arrangements and the exact conditions of the bail and suspension.
Key developments:
- Narges Mohammadi was moved from Zanjan to Tehran Pars Hospital and is under the care of her own medical team after a heart attack two weeks ago.
- The Narges Mohammadi Foundation said her sentence has been suspended on heavy bail but provided no details on the bail terms or duration of the suspension.
- The foundation urged permanent, specialized medical care and demanded guarantees that she will not be sent back to prison.
Context and implications:
- The foundation reported Mohammadi had been sentenced to a new 7-1/2 year term in February.
- Her detention follows a December arrest after she criticized the death of lawyer Khosrow Alikordi; officials said she made provocative remarks at his memorial.
- Authorities previously disrupted internet access during nationwide unrest linked to economic issues; rights groups have reported executions connected to the protests.