Nobel Peace Prize Winner Narges Mohammadi Hospitalized in Tehran After Prison Collapse
The prominent Iranian human rights activist, who has spent much of her adult life in and out of prison, will undergo medical treatment after collapsing earlier this month.
Narges Mohammadi, the imprisoned Iranian human rights activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, has been transferred to a Tehran hospital for medical treatment after collapsing in prison earlier this month, according to a foundation operated by her family. The 52-year-old journalist and women's rights advocate has spent much of her adult life cycling in and out of Iranian detention facilities for her activism against the Islamic Republic's authoritarian policies.
Mohammadi's transfer to the hospital comes amid growing international concern about her health and treatment in Iranian custody. The foundation statement indicated that she requires immediate medical attention, though specific details about her condition have not been disclosed. Her family has previously raised alarms about inadequate medical care in Iran's prison system and the impact of prolonged detention on political prisoners' health.
The Nobel Committee awarded Mohammadi the Peace Prize in October 2023 for her decades of advocacy for women's rights, democracy, and opposition to Iran's mandatory hijab laws. She was unable to accept the award in person, as she was serving multiple prison sentences at the time. Her children accepted the prize on her behalf in Oslo, highlighting the personal sacrifices made by Iranian dissidents and their families.
Mohammadi has been repeatedly arrested and imprisoned since the early 2000s for her journalism and human rights work. She has been a vocal critic of Iran's treatment of women and has documented cases of torture and abuse within the country's prison system. Her activism intensified following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, which sparked nationwide protests that Mohammadi supported from prison.
The international community, including human rights organizations and foreign governments, have called for Mohammadi's unconditional release and proper medical treatment. Her case has become symbolic of Iran's broader crackdown on civil society and women's rights activists. The timing of her hospitalization comes as Iran faces continued international pressure over its human rights record and its role in regional conflicts, including the ongoing war that has disrupted global energy markets.
