In brief
Narges Mohammadi, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight against female oppression and human rights activism, has been arrested in Mashhad, Iran. The Narges Foundation reported that her brother confirmed the detention, calling for the immediate release of Mohammadi and other activists. She had recently been released temporarily for medical reasons but was expected to return to prison. Her latest arrest occurred during a memorial for an attorney, amid increasing governmental repression against activists.
Iranian security forces have violently arrested Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi, her foundation has said.
The Narges Foundation stated that her brother confirmed Ms. Mohammadi was detained in the eastern city of Mashhad, along with other activists.
They have called for the immediate release of the 53-year-old and the activists detained alongside her, but Iran has not commented on the matter.
Ms. Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her activism against female oppression in Iran and for promoting human rights.
In December 2024, she was given a temporary release from jail for three weeks on medical grounds, after being held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since 2021.
She was expected to return to prison soon, where she was serving multiple sentences.
Her latest arrest reportedly took place as she was attending 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 suspicious death.
Several other activists were detained at the ceremony, where participants shouted slogans, including death to the dictator and long live Iran.
Taghi Rahmani, Ms. Mohammadi's husband, stated, They arrested Narges violently. The brother of the lawyer witnessed her arrest at the memorial. This act is against human rights laws and amounts to some kind of revenge. He expressed concern over intensified crackdowns by the establishment.
Ms. Mohammadi had recently accused Iranian authorities of escalating repression since the June ceasefire with Israel.
In a recent article for Time magazine, she highlighted the government's control over all aspects of life through surveillance and oppression.
Throughout her life, Mohammadi has been arrested 13 times and sentenced to over 36 years in prison and 154 lashes, according to her foundation.
