Iranian security forces have “violently arrested” Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, her foundation said Tuesday. The 53-year-old women’s rights activist was detained in the eastern city of Mashhad, along with other activists.
Narges Mohammadi’s Arrest and Background
The Narges Foundation reported the arrest, prompting concern from the Nobel Committee, which stated it was “deeply concerned by today’s brutal arrest” and called for Ms. Mohammadi’s immediate release and safety. Iranian authorities have not yet commented on the situation.
Ms. Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her activism against the oppression of women in Iran and her work promoting human rights.
She was temporarily released from jail in December 2024 for three weeks on medical grounds, after being held in Tehran’s Evin prison since 2021. She was expected to return to prison to serve multiple sentences.
Circumstances of the Arrest
The latest arrest reportedly occurred while Ms. Mohammadi attended a memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer found dead in his office last week. Norway-based group Iran Human Rights has called for an independent inquiry into his death, deeming the circumstances “suspicious.”
Several other activists were also detained at the ceremony, where attendees reportedly shouted slogans including “death to the dictator” and “long live Iran.”
Taghi Rahmani, Ms. Mohammadi’s husband, told BBC Persian that her arrest was carried out “violently” and witnessed by the lawyer’s brother. He described the act as “revenge” and expressed concern over an intensified crackdown by the establishment.
Recent Activism and Warnings
Ms. Mohammadi had recently accused Iranian authorities of increasing repression since the June ceasefire with Israel. She recently authored an article for Time magazine detailing the Iranian state’s control over all aspects of life.
“Their peace is disrupted by surveillance, censorship, arbitrary arrest, torture, and the constant threat of violence,” she wrote.
The Nobel Committee previously stated that Ms. Mohammadi had received warnings from “agents of the regime” through indirect channels and her lawyers, threatening her security if she continued public engagement and international advocacy.
Throughout her lifetime, Ms. Mohammadi has been arrested 13 times and sentenced to more than 36 years imprisonment and 154 lashes, according to her foundation. She has continued to defy mandatory headscarf laws and meet with activists across the country.
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