Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi Hospitalized After Prison Collapse

Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and imprisoned Iranian human rights activist, was urgently transferred to a hospital in northwestern Iran on Friday, May 1, 2026, following a catastrophic deterioration of her health, according to the Narges Mohammadi Foundation.

The foundation reported that Mohammadi experienced two episodes of complete loss of consciousness and a severe cardiac crisis while held at Zanjan Prison. Her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, stated on X that she suffered from severe blood pressure fluctuations and fainted twice. While a prison doctor initially administered medication, Mohammadi reportedly refused a hospital transfer until she could be seen by her cardiologist. After a second fainting spell, a neurologist ordered her immediate transfer to a hospital, where she was admitted to the cardiac care unit.

Medical History and Allegations of Neglect

The foundation described the transfer as an unavoidable necessity occurring after 140 days of systematic medical neglect since her arrest on December 12. According to her legal representatives, Mohammadi is believed to have suffered a heart attack on March 24, 2026, after fellow inmates found her unconscious. During a subsequent visit, lawyers observed that she appeared pale, underweight, and required a nurse’s assistance to walk.

Her legal representative in France, Chirinne Ardakani, stated that following the March incident, Mohammadi had been denied both a hospital transfer and a visit to her cardiologist, despite experiencing ongoing chest pain and breathing difficulties.

Further health complications were reported by her family in February, who claimed her condition was worsening due to a beating she endured during her December arrest. The family stated that multiple men hit and kicked her in the head, neck, and side.

Family and International Response

Mohammadi’s family has spent weeks advocating for her transfer to adequate medical facilities. The foundation, citing the family, described the Friday transfer as a desperate, ‘last-minute’ action that may be too late to address her critical needs.

“My family in Iran is doing everything they can. But the prosecutors in Zanjan are blocking everything.” Hamidreza Mohammadi, brother of Narges Mohammadi

Hamidreza Mohammadi, who resides in Oslo, Norway, added in an audio message that the family is fighting for her life.

The Nobel committee previously addressed the situation in February, issuing a statement that condemned the ongoing life-threatening mistreatment of the activist.

Legal Status

Mohammadi, 53, is a rights lawyer who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 while already in detention. She was arrested in December during a visit to Mashhad, an eastern Iranian city, and was sentenced to an additional seven years in prison.

Mostafa Nili reported that a medical official in Zanjan recommended a one-month suspension of her sentence to allow for necessary treatment.