Narges Mohammadi’s Worsening Health in Custody Triggers Global Alarm

Imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi’s health is reportedly deteriorating in Iranian custody, raising urgent international concern after she received a new prison sentence and began a hunger strike . Her husband, Taghi Rahmani , says the 53-year-old activist’s condition has worsened due to injuries sustained during a violent arrest in Mashhad in December, compounded by pre-existing heart and pulmonary conditions and limited access to medical care .

In recent days, an Iranian court imposed more than seven additional years in prison , adding to her existing sentence, while restricting her access to legal counsel and family contact. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has condemned her treatment as life-threatening and called for her immediate release.

Mohammadi, a prominent human rights advocate and recipient of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize , has long campaigned against the death penalty , discrimination against women, and political repression . Her latest detention comes amid a sweeping crackdown on dissent following nationwide protests demanding reform and civil freedoms .

According to accounts from released detainees and her family, plainclothes security forces assaulted Mohammadi during her arrest at a memorial for a human rights lawyer, leaving her with injuries to her head, neck, and torso. Her husband warns that the physical trauma has aggravated her existing illnesses, heightening fears for her survival.

Her case has become emblematic of Iran’s broader suppression of dissent, with rights groups reporting thousands of deaths and mass arrests during recent unrest. While Iranian authorities dispute the figures, the crackdown is widely seen as the most severe in decades.

Mohammadi’s imprisonment also highlights a wider global debate: supporters view international recognition such as the Nobel Peace Prize as a vital spotlight on universal human rights, while Tehran and its supporters see such recognition as external political pressure challenging state sovereignty .

As Mohammadi remains behind bars with uncertain access to treatment, her situation continues to symbolize the clash between human rights advocacy and state authority — and underscores how domestic struggles can quickly become matters of global concern.