Nobel Peace Prize recipient Narges Mohammadi was arrested by Iranian security forces, according to a statement from the Narges Foundation. The arrest occurred in the eastern city of Mashhad, where Ms. Mohammadi, aged 53, was detained alongside other activists.
International Reaction
The Nobel Committee expressed concern regarding Ms. Mohammadi's arrest. They issued a call to authorities to provide information on her whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and release her unconditionally. Iranian authorities have not issued a public statement on the matter.
Background and Circumstances
Ms. Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her work advocating against female oppression and promoting human rights in Iran. In December 2024, she received a temporary three-week release from Evin Prison in Tehran for medical reasons, having been incarcerated since 2021 and serving multiple sentences. She was expected to return to prison following her temporary release.
Her most recent arrest reportedly took place as she attended a memorial ceremony for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, who was found deceased in his office last week. The Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights had previously requested an independent investigation into Mr. Alikordi's death, citing what they described as suspicious circumstances. Reports indicate that several other activists were detained during the ceremony, where slogans were reportedly chanted.
Taghi Rahmani, Ms. Mohammadi's husband, informed BBC Persian about the arrest. He stated that the lawyer's brother witnessed her detention at the memorial. Mr. Rahmani characterized the arrest as an act contrary to human rights laws and suggested it constituted a form of retribution. He also voiced concern over what he described as an intensified crackdown by the establishment.