Tehran Prosecutor Allows Narges Mohammadi's Transfer to Hospital 'After a Week'

Narges Mohammadi's Instagram page, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, announced that this imprisoned human rights activist was finally transferred to the hospital on Thursday, November 16, after a week of follow-up by Narges and her lawyers. A day earlier, the Tehran prosecutor had ordered Evin prison officials to prevent Ms. Mohammadi's transfer to Tehran Heart Hospital for an angioplasty due to her refusal to comply with mandatory hijab. However, according to a recent report from Narges Mohammadi's Instagram page, 'the prosecutor finally issued the permission for her transfer' to the hospital. The prevention of Narges Mohammadi's hospital transfer faced protests from female prisoners in Evin prison, who chanted slogans in support of her. Ms. Mohammadi had previously stated that after a CT angiogram and CT scan conducted during her previous hospital visit on November 8, 'blockages in two heart vessels, fluid accumulation around the heart, and severe esophageal inflammation' were reported. According to this imprisoned human rights activist, the test results, despite officials' promise that they would be announced on November 9, were only communicated to her on November 11 after her lawyers followed up. The report states that while the test results are 'very concerning' and Narges Mohammadi 'urgently needs an angioplasty,' Evin prison officials had concealed this matter from her for two days. Narges Mohammadi's Instagram page wrote that on Sunday, November 12, a heart specialist was brought into the women's section of Evin, who, after reviewing the tests and CT angiogram in the presence of the head of the women's section, the deputy of prison security, the head of Evin's medical department, and Evin's doctor, emphasized that the angioplasty must be performed. Nevertheless, on Wednesday, according to the head of the correctional facility, '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 winner stated that she considers 'mandatory hijab as one of the powerful tools of tyranny and oppression in society, especially against women in Iran, which she will not comply with under any circumstances.' Narges Mohammadi emphasized that 'I stand for freedom and equality until my last breath; I will not sit down until democracy is achieved.' She added: 'I will not oppose mandatory hijab with slogans but in action, just like Mahsa, Nika, Ghazaleh, Sarina, and Armita, I will bury you under my life.' According to this report, female prisoners in Evin prison protested in support of Narges Mohammadi and chanted in a voice recording published 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 the sake of 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 told Voice of America: Narges Mohammadi was transferred to the hospital 'without mandatory hijab.' The Nobel Peace Committee expressed concern about Narges Mohammadi's health status. Iran Human Rights Organization expressed serious concern about Narges Mohammadi's health status. American PEN Association; 'Free Narges Mohammadi unconditionally.' Narges Mohammadi went on a hunger strike in protest against 'the lack of medical attention for sick prisoners.'