Prison Officials Prevent Narges Mohammadi's Transfer to Hospital Due to Non-compliance with Mandatory Hijab

Narges Mohammadi's Instagram page, the human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, announced that on the order of the Tehran prosecutor, officials at Evin Prison prevented her transfer to Tehran Heart Hospital for an angioplasty on Wednesday morning, November 15, due to her refusal to wear a mandatory hijab. This action faced protests from female prisoners at Evin Prison, who chanted slogans in support of Narges Mohammadi. Ms. Mohammadi stated that after a CT angiogram and CT scan conducted during her previous visit to the hospital on November 8, it was reported that she had 'blockages in two heart arteries, fluid accumulation around the heart, and severe esophageal inflammation.' According to this imprisoned human rights activist, despite officials' promises that the test results would be announced on November 9, they were only communicated to her on November 11 after her lawyers followed up. The report indicates that while the test results are 'very concerning' and Narges Mohammadi 'urgently needs an angioplasty,' Evin Prison officials had kept this matter 'hidden' from her for two days. Additionally, it was reported that on Sunday, November 12, a cardiologist was brought into the women's ward of Evin, who, after reviewing the tests and CT angiogram in the presence of the head of the women's ward, the deputy head of prison security, the head of Evin's medical staff, and her physician, emphasized that the angioplasty must be performed. Nevertheless, on Wednesday, according to the head of the ward, 'the prosecutor issued a written order stating that without a hijab, she cannot go outside the ward, and if she does not wear a hijab, the angioplasty will not be performed.' This Nobel Peace Prize laureate stated that she considers 'the mandatory hijab one of the powerful tools of oppression and domination over society, especially Iranian women, which she will not comply with under any circumstances.' Narges Mohammadi emphasized that 'I stand for freedom and equality to the end of my life, and I will not rest until democracy is achieved.' She added, 'I will not only chant against the mandatory hijab but will act against it, just like Mahsa, Nika, Ghazaleh, Sarina, and Armita, and I will bring it down upon you with my life.' According to the report, female prisoners at Evin Prison protested in support of Narges Mohammadi and chanted in a voice recording shared on her Instagram page: 'Prisoner brother, support support.' Narges Mohammadi, born in 1972 in Zanjan, has been repeatedly arrested and imprisoned over the past two decades. In her latest legal case, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison for 'anti-government propaganda' and is currently held in Evin Prison in Tehran. Narges Mohammadi and the suffering of years in prison for freedom, as narrated by Maryam Safajoo. Narges Mohammadi summoned to Evin Prosecutor's Office; 'Did not wear a hijab' and 'was not allowed to leave' the women's ward. Visitors of Narges Mohammadi during her hospital stay were threatened and arrested. Taghi Rahmani to Voice of America: Narges Mohammadi was sent to the hospital 'without a mandatory hijab.' The Nobel Peace Committee expressed concern about Narges Mohammadi's health status. The Iran Human Rights Organization expressed serious concern about Narges Mohammadi's health. The American PEN Association called for Narges Mohammadi to be 'unconditionally' released. Narges Mohammadi went on a hunger strike in protest against 'the lack of medical care for sick prisoners.'