Iran suspends sentence of hospitalized Nobel winner Narges Mohammadi

Iran’s judiciary suspended the 18-year prison sentence of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi on May 10, citing her urgent medical needs. The decision followed an assessment by Iran’s Legal Medicine Organization, which determined she requires specialized care outside prison due to multiple illnesses, including heart attacks, high blood pressure, and spinal issues. Mohammadi, who accepted the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize while incarcerated on charges of spreading 'propaganda' against the Islamic regime, was transferred by ambulance from Zanjan to Tehran Pars Hospital. She will now be treated by her own medical team under supervision, according to her foundation. Her legal team confirmed the suspension order, stating it was granted to ensure her health but emphasizing it does not address the broader human rights concerns. Mohammadi’s foundation called for unconditional freedom, warning that a suspension is insufficient for her long-term care and demanding the dismissal of all charges against her. The activist has faced repeated arrests since the 1990s, with a total of 31 years in prison sentences and 154 lashes imposed over her decades-long advocacy for women’s and human rights. Her supporters have condemned her detention as a violation of international human rights standards, urging global pressure for her release. The foundation also expressed gratitude to the international community for its solidarity but stressed that sustained advocacy is needed to prevent her return to prison. Mohammadi’s case remains a focal point for critics of Iran’s treatment of dissidents and activists.