Iran’s Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi moved to Tehran hospital for treatment after bail

TEHRAN: Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been transferred from prison to a hospital in Tehran and granted a suspension of her sentence on heavy bail, a foundation run by her family said on Sunday.

Mohammadi, 54, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while imprisoned, is being treated at Tehran’s Pars Hospital by her own medical team after being moved by ambulance from Zanjan prison, according to the Narges Mohammadi Foundation.

The prominent rights activist suffered a heart attack two weeks ago, prompting renewed concerns over her health and calls from her family for improved medical treatment.

Her family had urged authorities to transfer her from Zanjan, northwest of Tehran, where she had been serving her prison sentence and was initially hospitalised.

The foundation did not disclose details about the bail arrangements or the duration of the suspension of her sentence.

“However, a suspension is not enough,” the foundation said in a statement. “Narges Mohammadi requires permanent, specialized care. We must ensure she never returns to prison.”

Mohammadi was sentenced earlier this year to an additional seven-and-a-half years in prison, according to the foundation.

Iranian authorities arrested her in December after she criticised the death of lawyer Khosrow Alikordi during a memorial ceremony, Iranian prosecutors said at the time.

Mohammadi has long campaigned for women’s rights and against Iran’s death penalty laws, becoming one of the Islamic Republic’s most prominent human rights activists.

The Nobel Committee had earlier called on Tehran to immediately release her.

Iran has faced mounting criticism from international rights groups over restrictions on freedoms and the execution of people linked to anti-government unrest in recent months.