TEHRAN: Iran has released Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi, jailed since November 2021, for three weeks on medical grounds, her lawyer posted on social media.

“Based on the advice of the examining doctor, the public prosecutor suspended the jail sentence against Narges Moha­mmadi for three weeks and she was released from prison,” Mostafa Nili said on X.

Mohammadi’s family and supporters swiftly put out a statement protesting that the three weeks’ medical leave was not enough.

“A 21-day suspension of Narges Mohammadi’s sentence is inadequate. We demand Narges Mohammadi’s immediate and unconditional release or at least an extension of her leave to three months,” they said in a statement.

Over the past quarter century, Mohammadi, 52, has been repeatedly tried and jailed for her vocal campaigning against Iran’s widespread use of capital punishment and its mandatory dress code for women. She has spent most of the past decade behind bars.

“The grounds for her release are her physical condition after the removal of a tumour and a bone graft three weeks ago,” Nili said.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2024