Nobel Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi in critical condition as family fears rise

Imprisoned Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi underwent a second medical examination by Iranian government-appointed experts on Wednesday, as concerns about her deteriorating health condition intensify. Her family hopes this evaluation will finally facilitate her transfer from a local hospital in Zanjan to a facility in Tehran where she could receive more specialized treatment.

Mohammadi, 53, was rushed to a hospital in Zanjan last Friday after losing consciousness and remains in critical condition. According to her brother Hamidreza Mohammadi, who spoke to The Associated Press from Oslo, security officials have consistently blocked efforts to move her to better medical facilities in the capital despite previous medical recommendations.

“The problem is that somewhere in the system, the intelligence agency has the upper hand and they are the ones who are controlling everything,” Hamidreza said. “If [the transfer] doesn’t happen, it means they are really intent on killing Narges.”

The human rights activist and women’s rights champion was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while incarcerated. She has been repeatedly imprisoned throughout her career, with her current detention beginning in December after her arrest in Mashhad.

Mohammadi’s health has deteriorated significantly during this imprisonment. Her family reports she was severely beaten during her arrest and suffered a heart attack in March. She also has a pre-existing blood clot in her lung that requires blood thinners and regular monitoring—care her family and lawyers claim security authorities have denied her.

Since her hospitalization, Mohammadi’s condition has remained precarious. According to her brother, her blood pressure fluctuates dramatically between extremely low and high readings. She requires oxygen assistance and is unable to speak. Doctors fear the existing blood clot could migrate to other veins, and a brain surgeon at the hospital has warned that her unstable blood pressure could affect both her heart and brain.

“It is a really bad condition for Narges now,” her brother said, emphasizing that the Zanjan hospital lacks the resources to properly treat her underlying conditions.

Communication with family members in Iran has been severely restricted due to internet blackouts implemented since the escalation of regional conflicts. Hamidreza must now wait for intermittent text messages when his family in Iran can establish a connection.

Chirinne Ardakani, Mohammadi’s France-based lawyer, issued a stark warning on Tuesday, suggesting that Iranian authorities are deliberately attempting to “slowly kill her.” Ardakani characterized the regime’s “relentless pursuit against Narges” as “a signal of terror to the entire civilian population.”

The Nobel Committee released a statement on Saturday urging Iranian authorities to “immediately transfer her to her dedicated medical team in Tehran,” warning that “without such treatment, her life remains at risk.”

On Wednesday, Mohammadi was transported by ambulance from the Zanjan hospital to the judiciary’s medical examiners, accompanied by family members. The results of this examination could prove pivotal in determining whether she receives the necessary specialized care.

The situation has been particularly distressing for Mohammadi’s family abroad. Her 19-year-old twins, Kiana and Ali, who live in Paris with their father, haven’t seen their mother for over a decade.

“They are devastated. They have experienced a lot of hard times. This time they are just afraid they would not hear their mother’s voice again,” Hamidreza explained.

Mohammadi’s case has garnered international attention amid a backdrop of increased regional tensions involving Iran. While global focus has shifted to conflicts in the Middle East and concerns about maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, her brother believes Iranian authorities are using this opportunity to “focus on eliminating the opposition.”

As Mohammadi’s health hangs in the balance, her brother continues his anxious wait for updates from Iran. “My body and brain say no,” he said, reflecting the emotional toll of the situation, “but I know it might be the last chance I have.”