Imprisoned Iranian Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi transferred to hospital – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Flickr)
In a remote prison facility in Zanjan, northwestern Iran, Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi collapsed twice in quick succession, prompting an emergency transfer to a local hospital. Her foundation described the episodes as part of a catastrophic deterioration in her condition, marked by complete loss of consciousness and a severe cardiac crisis. This development followed months of reported medical neglect since her arrest last December.
Details Emerge of the Latest Crisis
The Narges Mohammadi Foundation issued a statement Friday detailing the alarming events inside the prison. Mohammadi experienced two fainting spells earlier that day, leading to the urgent hospitalization. Medical assessments pointed to a critical cardiac episode as the immediate threat.
Prison authorities acted swiftly once the severity became clear, moving her from the facility to medical care in the region. The foundation highlighted the rapid escalation, underscoring the risks posed by her ongoing detention.
Prior Heart Scare Raises Alarms
Just weeks earlier, in late March, Mohammadi had endured what her lawyers believed was a heart attack. They visited her shortly afterward and noted her frail state: pale complexion, significant weight loss, and reliance on a nurse for mobility. Those observations painted a picture of deepening physical strain.
Since that incident, her condition had shown little improvement under prison conditions. The recent fainting episodes represented a stark worsening, building on the unresolved issues from the prior event. Lawyers’ accounts provided the first public glimpse into her vulnerability at that time.
Months of Reported Medical Neglect
The foundation linked the hospital transfer to 140 days of what it called systematic medical neglect, dating back to Mohammadi’s arrest on December 12. During this period, access to adequate care remained limited, exacerbating her health risks. The cumulative toll appeared evident in her repeated crises.
International attention has long focused on her case, given her status as Iran’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2023 for human rights advocacy. Yet prison authorities maintained strict controls over her medical oversight. The foundation’s update served as a call to address these longstanding concerns.
This sequence of events leaves her supporters watching closely for further developments from the hospital. Her resilience amid adversity has defined her activism, but the fragile state of her health now demands urgent resolution. As details unfold, the focus remains on securing proper treatment and safeguards for her well-being.