TEHRAN: Iranian authorities have granted Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and prominent human rights activist, temporary release from prison for 21 days to recover from surgery following concerns over a possible cancer diagnosis. However, her family has voiced dissatisfaction with the decision, calling it “too little, too late.”
On Tuesday, an Iranian prosecutor approved a brief suspension of Mohammadi’s sentence, allowing her to leave prison for three weeks to recuperate from an operation she underwent in November. The surgery was to remove part of a bone in her lower right leg after doctors discovered a lesion that could be cancerous. Mohammadi’s family had requested a three-month medical leave to ensure a full recovery, but this appeal was denied.
According to her family, Mohammadi is currently unable to walk due to her condition. “She is being transported in an ambulance to her home,” they said in a statement on Wednesday. Additionally, they revealed that Mohammadi was required to cover the cost of the ambulance herself, as the Iranian government did not provide financial assistance for the service.
The Narges Foundation, which advocates on her behalf, expressed concern over the limited time granted for her recovery. “After more than ten years in prison, Narges Mohammadi needs access to specialized medical care in a safe and sanitary environment—something that is her fundamental human right,” the foundation stated. “Medical professionals have emphasized that at least three months of recovery time is essential for her healing.”
Mohammadi has spent much of the past two decades imprisoned in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, known for holding political prisoners and critics of the Iranian government. She is currently serving several sentences totaling over 30 years for charges including “acting against national security” and “spreading propaganda” against the state.
Despite her ongoing incarceration, Mohammadi’s work as a human rights advocate has earned her international recognition, culminating in her Nobel Peace Prize win earlier this year. However, her family and supporters continue to push for her release and adequate medical treatment, arguing that she deserves far more time to recover from her surgery.