Iranian authorities have without any prior warning transferred Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi to a prison in the north of the country, her family confirmed on Saturday. This sudden move has sparked growing alarm over her deteriorating health and the conditions of her detention.
Concerns Mount Over Health and Mistreatment
The Norwegian Nobel committee expressed deep concern this week, stating it was profoundly appalled by reports detailing physical abuse and ongoing life-threatening mistreatment of Mohammadi during her arrest and subsequent detention. Her husband, Taghi Rahmani, who resides in Paris, revealed that the transfer to Zanjan prison was executed without informing her family or legal representatives, describing it as a deliberate act intended to exile and displace her.
Details of the Transfer and Legal Situation
Mohammadi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for over two decades of campaigning against Iran's use of capital punishment and the mandatory dress code for women, was arrested on December 12 in Mashhad. She had spoken out against Iran's clerical authorities at a funeral ceremony, leading to her detention.
After her arrest, she was held at an intelligence ministry facility in Mashhad but has now been moved to Zanjan prison. Her foundation, managed by supporters and family, indicated that the transfer occurred on Tuesday, but Mohammadi only managed to disclose this information on Saturday during a brief phone call with her Iranian lawyer, Mostafa Nili.
Health Issues and Allegations of Abuse
In that conversation, Mohammadi described severe violence inflicted during her arrest, including intense pressure from interrogations and particularly harsh blows to her head. These injuries have resulted in symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, and blurred vision. Bruises and marks from the physical assault remain visible on her body, according to Nili's account on social media.
Earlier this month, Mohammadi engaged in a hunger strike for nearly a week to protest her detention conditions and was hospitalized before being returned to prison. Additionally, she has faced further legal challenges, receiving a six-year prison sentence for charges of harming national security and a one-and-a-half-year term for propaganda against Iran's Islamic system.
Background of Activism and Previous Imprisonments
Over the past twenty-five years, the 53-year-old activist has been repeatedly tried and incarcerated for her advocacy work. Born in Zanjan but a resident of Tehran, Mohammadi has a history of being transferred to Zanjan prison during previous jail terms, where she reportedly endured ill treatment. Her arrest preceded nationwide protests that erupted later in December, peaking in January with a government crackdown that activists claim has resulted in thousands of fatalities.
Since her detention in December, Mohammadi has had extremely limited communication, with only one phone call allowed with a brother inside Iran and now just two additional calls with her lawyer. This isolation compounds the worries about her wellbeing and the transparency of her legal proceedings.
