Multi award-winning writer, journalist, human rights defender and Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi (54) was free from an Iranian prison on medical grounds as of 31 December 2024, a year in which she received three new prison sentences. Held since 16 November 2021, she is serving multiple unjust sentences, totalling 35 years’ imprisonment including 154 lashes.
In January 2024, Iranian authorities sentenced Mohammadi to a 15-month prison term which has been extended several times. Mohammadi has faced reprisals by the Iranian authorities for her human rights work for more than 14 years, and faced multiple unjust prison terms after conviction of bogus charges including ‘propaganda against the system’, ‘defamation’ and ‘rebellious conduct while incarcerated’. Her family believes that many of her sentences were imposed in retaliation for her book, White Torture (Oneworld, 2022), in which she documents the experiences of imprisoned Iranian women.
Mohammadi suffers from a neurological disorder that can result in seizures, temporary partial paralysis, and a pulmonary embolism for which she is said to be denied essential medication that could prevent further blood clots from forming. She was denied medical treatment throughout 2024, resulting in further health complications. Her family reported in August that she is suffering from cardiovascular issues, gastrointestinal complications, and spinal disc herniation. On 4 December 2024, Mohammadi was temporarily released from jail on medical grounds to allow her recovery from a recent surgery.
In April 2026, her family revealed that after being found unconscious in her bed by fellow inmates, it is thought that she had a heart attack. She was not transferred to hospital. Ongoing stress is exacerbated by the conflict in Iran in which prisoners are vulnerable to attack.
“We are deeply shocked by the news of the brutal assault and subsequent detention of prominent Iranian writer and Nobel laureate, Narges Mohammadi in December 2025. Mohammadi has faced persecution due to her expression and relentless human rights advocacy,” said Burhan Sonmez, President of PEN International.
We remain deeply concerned about Mohammadi’s health and safety, and stress that Iranian authorities must ensure her urgent access to adequate medical care and protection against torture and other cruel and inhuman treatment. She has spent more than a decade in prison.
PEN International further reiterates its calls for all charges against her to be dropped and for her to secure freedom.
Adapted from on an article published by PEN International.
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