Iranian Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Hospitalized Following Arrest, Family Reports
Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was hospitalized after her arrest in Mashhad, Iran, last week, according to statements from her family and the Narges Foundation.
Details of Arrest and Reported Injuries
On Friday, Mohammadi was arrested at a memorial ceremony for human rights activist Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad. 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." The foundation further stated that Mohammadi was taken to an emergency department twice due to the intensity of the blows. Eyewitnesses cited by Mohammadi's family also claimed she was attacked by approximately 15 plainclothes agents who reportedly pulled her hair and used clubs and batons.
Mohammadi told her family 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 the arrests at the memorial ceremony.
Iranian Authorities' Position
Mashhad prosecutor Hasan Hematifar confirmed on Saturday that Mohammadi was among 39 individuals arrested. He 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.
Background on Narges Mohammadi
Ms. Mohammadi, 53, serves as the vice-president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. She received the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her work against female oppression in Iran and her advocacy for human rights. She has spent over 10 years in prison and has been serving a 13-year sentence since 2021 on charges including "propaganda activity against the state" and "collusion against state security," which she denies.
In December 2024, she was temporarily released from Evin prison in Tehran for medical reasons and continued her activism while undergoing treatment.
International Reactions
The Norwegian Nobel Committee expressed deep concern on Friday regarding what it described as the "brutal arrest" of Ms. Mohammadi. The committee called on Iranian authorities to "ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions."
Award-winning film-maker Jafar Panahi, along with Mohammad Rasoulof and 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."