Iranian prison authorities have blocked jailed Nobel Peace Prize 2023 winner Narges Mohammadi’s hospital care after she refused to wear a hijab. She is currently lodged at the Evin Prison in Tehran, serving multiple sentences amounting to about 12 years. Her family has warned that her life is at risk as she suffers from cardiac and lung health issues. The prison warden announced that according to the orders of the higher authorities, sending her to the heart hospital without a headscarf was prohibited and her transfer was canceled.
Ms. Mohammadi was awarded the top prize in October for her efforts against the oppression of women in Iran. She has vowed to not wear a hijab under any circumstances which has been obligatory for women in public spaces since shortly after Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution.