Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Winner Goes On Hunger Strike In Jail

Imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi began a hunger strike on Monday to protest against Iran's denial of medical care to her as well as against the country's strict hijab rules, BBC reported. Human Rights Activists News Agency said authorities had not let the 51-year-old go to the hospital for heart and lung treatment last week because she had refused to wear a mandatory head scarf for the visit.

''Narges went on a hunger strike today ... protesting two things: The Islamic Republic's policy of delaying and neglecting medical care for sick inmates, resulting in the loss of the health and lives of individuals. The policy of 'death' or 'mandatory hijab' for Iranian women,'' the statement read.

Ms Mohammadi's family said that she was suffering from blockages in three veins and lung pressure, but prison officials refused to take her to the hospital over her denial to wear a hijab. Her family added that she was only consuming water, sugar, and salt, and had stopped taking her medications.