The Islamic Republic Prevented Mohammadi's Hospital Transfer 'Three Times' in One Month

On Thursday, October 4, the family of Narges Mohammadi announced that the Islamic Republic's 'security and judicial institutions' have prevented this human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate from leaving Evin Prison for hospital transfer for angiography 'three times' over the past month. Narges Mohammadi's Instagram page shared a letter from her family stating that 'based on the diagnosis and written order of the cardiologist,' she was supposed to be transferred for angiography in June of this year, and when she was finally sent to the hospital 'after more than a month of delay,' medical examinations revealed 'a mass in her right breast.' The report states that 'according to doctors,' it was decided that Narges Mohammadi should undergo angiography immediately, but 'since then, despite relentless follow-ups,' her requests for hospital transfer and angiography have been ignored three times. Narges Mohammadi's family stated that 'the repeated obstructions and opposition from security and judicial institutions, without accountability in the treatment and medical care process for Narges, have clearly targeted her health and are a concerning matter,' and they called on 'human rights bodies to follow up.' Less than two weeks ago, the strategic committee of the international coalition 'Freedom for Narges' urged world leaders to work for the immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi. This committee, in a statement on September 21, referred to the 'dangerous' health condition of Narges Mohammadi in recent months in Evin Prison and asked UN member states to raise concerns about the health of this Nobel Peace Prize laureate 'as an urgent priority in their relations with the Iranian government.' The strategic committee of the international coalition 'Freedom for Narges' described the repeated condemnations and pressures on Narges Mohammadi by Iran's security and judicial apparatus, as well as the harsh conditions faced by many other political prisoners in Iran, as examples of the Islamic Republic's disregard for its commitments as a UN member and called on the international community to address this issue swiftly and seriously. The U.S. State Department expressed concern on August 20 about reports of Narges Mohammadi being beaten in Evin Prison and urged the Iranian government to stop attacks against human rights defenders and release all unjustly detained prisoners. Narges Mohammadi, who has been in Evin Prison since November 2021, has been deprived of hospital transfer despite suffering from heart and lung diseases and 'the discovery of a mass in her breast.' Since December 29, 2023, she has also been deprived of contact with her family and lawyer due to her refusal to wear a hijab. Narges Mohammadi has been arrested and imprisoned multiple times over the past two decades. In her latest legal case, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison for 'propaganda against the regime' and is currently in Evin Prison in Tehran. The strategic committee of the 'Freedom for Narges' coalition is supported by the Narges Foundation, PEN America, Reporters Without Borders, and Front Line Defenders.