Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Detained in Iran

Iranian security forces have detained Nobel Peace Prize recipient and women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi, according to a statement from the Narges Foundation. The foundation reported that Ms. Mohammadi, 53, was arrested in the eastern city of Mashhad, alongside other activists. The Narges Foundation described the arrest as "violent."

International Reaction

The Nobel Committee issued a statement expressing "deep concern" over Mohammadi's arrest. The committee called on Iranian authorities to "immediately clarify Mohammadi's whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions." Iranian officials have not released a public statement regarding the event.

Background on Narges Mohammadi

Ms. Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her work advocating against female oppression and promoting human rights in Iran. She had been temporarily released for three weeks in December 2024 due to medical reasons, after being held in Tehran's Evin prison since 2021. Mohammadi was serving multiple sentences and was expected to return to custody following her medical leave.

Context of Arrest

Her latest detention occurred as she attended a memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer who died last week. The Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights had called for an independent inquiry into Alikordi's death, citing "suspicious" circumstances. Reports indicate that several other activists were also detained at the memorial, where participants were reported to have chanted slogans such as "death to the dictator" and "long live Iran."

Taghi Rahmani, Ms. Mohammadi's husband, informed BBC Persian that her arrest was violent and witnessed by Alikordi's brother at the memorial. Rahmani characterized the action as "against human rights laws" and "some kind of revenge," adding that the incident was "concerning because the establishment's crackdown has intensified recently."