Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Arrested, Hospitalized, and Sentenced in Iran

Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Arrested, Hospitalized, and Re-sentenced in Iran

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was arrested on December 12, 2024, at a memorial ceremony in Mashhad, Iran. Following her detention, her family reported that she was hospitalized due to injuries allegedly sustained during the arrest. Subsequently, her lawyer announced that Mohammadi has received a new prison sentence, including six years for "gathering and collusion to commit crimes." The arrest has drawn condemnation from international bodies, including the Nobel Committee.

Narges Mohammadi, a 53-year-old women's rights activist and the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was detained on December 12, 2024, in Mashhad. Her arrest, described as "violent," occurred while she attended a memorial ceremony for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi.

Arrest and Reported Injuries

Narges Mohammadi was detained in the eastern city of Mashhad as she attended a memorial ceremony for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, who human rights groups described as a human rights activist. The Narges Foundation and Mohammadi's husband, Taghi Rahmani, described her arrest as "violent." Reports indicate that several other activists were also detained at the ceremony, where participants were reported to have chanted slogans.

Mashhad prosecutor Hasan Hematifar confirmed on Saturday following the arrest that Mohammadi was among 39 individuals detained. Hematifar stated that Mohammadi and Javad Alikordi, Khosrow Alikordi's brother, encouraged attendees to "chant norm-breaking slogans" and "disturb the peace." Iranian authorities had previously indicated Mohammadi was detained for making "provocative remarks" at the memorial.

Following her arrest, Mohammadi was hospitalized. The Narges Foundation, citing a phone call from Mohammadi on Sunday, reported that she stated she was "attacked by plain clothed agents with severe and repeated baton blows to the head and neck." She was reportedly taken to an emergency department twice due to the intensity of these blows. Eyewitnesses, cited by Mohammadi's family via the Narges Foundation, claimed approximately 15 plainclothes agents attacked her, pulling her hair and using clubs and batons.

Mohammadi reported that she did not know which security authority was detaining her and that no explanation had been provided. The Narges Foundation also cited Mohammadi as saying she was accused of "co-operating with the Israeli government" and received a death threat. Two other activists, Sepideh Gholian and Pouran Nazemi, were also reportedly beaten by plainclothes agents during arrests at the memorial ceremony. Iranian officials have not issued a public statement concerning the reported hospitalization or alleged beatings.

New Sentencing

Mohammadi's lawyer reported a new prison sentence following her arrest. She was sentenced to six years in prison for "gathering and collusion to commit crimes," an additional one-and-a-half years for "propaganda activities," and received a two-year ban on leaving the country. The ruling also includes a two-year internal exile to the city of Khosf. Under Iranian legal statutes, these jail sentences are to run concurrently.

Background on Narges Mohammadi

Mohammadi serves as the vice-president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. She was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her work advocating against female oppression and promoting human rights in Iran, with her children accepting the award on her behalf.

She has been repeatedly tried and imprisoned over the last 25 years for her activism, which includes campaigning against capital punishment and the mandatory dress code for women. She has spent over 10 years in prison and has not seen her children, who reside in Paris, since 2015. Since 2021, she has been serving a 13-year sentence on charges including "propaganda activity against the state" and "collusion against state security," charges which she denies.

Mohammadi had been temporarily released for three weeks in December 2024 for medical reasons, due to health issues following tumor removal and a bone graft. She was expected to return to custody following her medical leave. Her arrest on December 12 followed her denouncement of the death of lawyer Khosrow Alikordi.

Context of the Memorial

The memorial ceremony was held for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer who was found deceased in his office earlier in December. The Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights had called for an independent inquiry into Alikordi's death, citing what they described as "suspicious" circumstances. Taghi Rahmani characterized Mohammadi's arrest as "contrary to human rights laws" and "a form of retribution," expressing concern that the incident reflects an "intensified crackdown" by the establishment.

International Reactions

The Norwegian Nobel Committee issued a statement expressing "deep concern" regarding Mohammadi's arrest, which they described as "brutal." The committee called on Iranian authorities to "immediately clarify Mohammadi's whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions."

Award-winning filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof, along with other activists, issued a joint statement. They characterized the events at Alikordi's memorial ceremony as "a stark reflection of the worrying state of freedom and security, and, consequently, the inefficiency and lack of accountability of the authorities in today's Iran."