The United States Calls for the Unconditional and Permanent Release of Narges Mohammadi

The United States has called for the unconditional and permanent release of Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, emphasizing that she "should never have been imprisoned." Vedant Patel, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, on Thursday, December 6, described Ms. Mohammadi's health condition as "concerning and regrettable," attributing it to the "direct result of the regime's harassment in Iran." He reiterated, "We once again call for the immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi and other political prisoners who are imprisoned without valid reasons." Narges Mohammadi was temporarily released from Evin Prison on Wednesday for three weeks to pursue her medical treatment. This temporary release followed a deterioration in her health condition after surgery for a tumor and a bone transplant on her leg. Previously, the spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Council had also called for the permanent and unconditional release of Ms. Mohammadi. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has also urged the Iranian government to permanently release Narges Mohammadi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Radio Farda reported on Wednesday, December 5, citing an informed source, that Ms. Mohammadi was released due to "medical leave"; Mustafa Nili, her lawyer, confirmed this news on social media, stating that his client was released for three weeks due to her health condition following the tumor surgery and bone transplant, with the approval of the Tehran prosecutor's office. Narges Mohammadi, 52, has been imprisoned for several years in connection with her human rights activities, the "No to Execution" campaign, and protests against compulsory hijab. She had previously been sentenced to a total of 13 years and 9 months in prison, and during her imprisonment, the judiciary of the Islamic Republic formed new cases against her and issued new sentences.