The 'Freedom for Narges' Coalition Calls for Immediate and Unconditional Release of Narges Mohammadi and Access to Medical Treatment

The 'Freedom for Narges' coalition condemned the new six-month prison sentence against Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and imprisoned human rights activist, on Thursday, November 3rd. They demanded her immediate and unconditional release and called for her access to essential medical treatment, which she has been denied again this week. The coalition's steering committee criticized the Islamic Republic for repeatedly denying Ms. Mohammadi medical care, adding that this denial continues even as her health deteriorates severely due to prolonged detention, with new sentences added in retaliation for her protests from within prison. The coalition emphasized: 'We once again demand her unconditional release, but now it is essential that she be granted medical leave for the necessary treatment recommended by her doctors, and this must be done without delay.' The 'Freedom for Narges' coalition also urged the international diplomatic community to prioritize this issue in all negotiations with the Iranian government and to emphasize a firm commitment to Mohammadi's release. The coalition's statement highlighted that this diplomatic intervention is not only necessary but could save her life. They wrote: 'Given the Iranian government's recent history of arbitrary medical neglect towards political prisoners, we hold the authorities responsible for Narges Mohammadi's health.' A number of women prisoners in Evin expressed their concerns about Mohammadi's physical condition and the prison authorities' refusal to send her to the hospital in a letter received by Voice of America. They wrote: 'We, a group of women sharing a cell with Narges Mohammadi in Evin's women's ward, protest the prison's refusal to send her to the hospital, as she suffers from serious and multiple illnesses, and we are worried about her health.' Narges Mohammadi, Varishe Moradi, Pakhshan Azizi, Mahbubeh Rezaei, and Pariush Moslemi, five prisoners held in Evin's women's ward, were sentenced to a total of 27 months in a new joint case against them on October 28. According to the ruling of the second criminal court of the Quds judicial complex in Tehran, presided over by Judge Abolfazl Amiri Shahroudi, Ms. Azizi, Rezaei, Mohammadi, and Moradi were each sentenced to six months in prison, while Ms. Moslemi received three months and one day for what was termed 'assaulting an officer and disobedience.' They participated in a peaceful sit-in on August 6 of this year, protesting the execution of Reza Raeesi. This sit-in was met with violence from the special forces of Evin prison. Voice of America had reported exclusively on the role of the prison chief and other officials in the attack on the women prisoners. The current period of Narges Mohammadi's imprisonment began in November 2021, following her conviction in May 2021, with additional charges added in January and October 2022, as well as January, June, and October 2023. She is now sentenced to 13 years and 9 months in prison and 154 lashes. Her charges include 'propaganda against the regime' and 'collusion and conspiracy against national security.' The steering committee of the Freedom for Narges coalition wrote: 'Mohammadi's health has severely deteriorated during her long imprisonment.' In early October, her family expressed serious concern regarding the systematic refusal of Evin prison officials to transfer her to the hospital for angiography on three separate occasions on September 10, 26, and October 1. The angiography had been recommended by her cardiologist on March 19 of the previous year. According to this committee, a medical report on Narges Mohammadi dated September 16 pointed to concerning issues. Her angiography revealed that the main artery of her heart, which had been opened with a stent due to 75% blockage in 2021, is facing serious problems again. Despite repeated requests from her specialist for a re-examination and the urgency of this procedure confirmed by another heart specialist approved by the Iranian prison organization, this procedure has yet to be carried out. According to the report, on October 9, the head of Evin prison informed Ms. Mohammadi during a visit to the women's ward that the Iranian prison organization in Evin does not have decision-making authority regarding her condition, including medical transfers, and that decisions are made at higher levels without naming the responsible officials. Furthermore, Narges Mohammadi's communication with her family and lawyers remains completely severed. The steering committee of the Freedom for Narges coalition is managed by the Narges Foundation, PEN America, Reporters Without Borders, and Defenders Without Borders.