Iranian security forces ‘violently arrested’ Nobel Peace Prize winner and women’s rights activist Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian foundation said.
The Narges Foundation said Mohammadi, 53, was detained in eastern Mashhad along with other activists.
The Nobel Committee said, “We are deeply concerned by today’s brutal arrest of Narges Mohammadi,” and urged “the authorities to immediately reveal Mohammadi’s whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and release her unconditionally.” Iran appears to have made no comment.
Ms. Mohammadi won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her work opposing the oppression of women and promoting human rights in Iran.
In December 2024, she was temporarily released for three weeks on medical grounds, having been imprisoned in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison since 2021.
She was expected to return to prison soon and serve several sentences.
She was arrested while attending a memorial service for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, who was found dead in his office last week.
A Norway-based Iranian human rights group said the circumstances surrounding his death were “suspicious” and called for an independent investigation into how he died.
Several other activists were detained at the event, where they reportedly chanted slogans including “Death to the dictator” and “Long live Iran.”
“They arrested Narges violently. The lawyer’s brother witnessed her arrest at the memorial,” Mohammadi’s husband Tahi Rahmani told BBC Persia.
“This action violates human rights law and constitutes a form of retaliation.
“This happened in Mashhad today, and it is concerning because crackdowns on the facility have recently been strengthened.”
Ms. Mohammadi recently accused Iranian authorities of intensifying repression following a ceasefire with Israel in June.
Last week, she wrote an article for the Times about how the Iranian state controls every aspect of private and public life.
“Their peace has been destroyed by surveillance, censorship, arbitrary arrests, torture and constant threats of violence,” she said.
She also told the Nobel committee that she had received warnings from “agents of the regime” through indirect channels and through lawyers.
“The threats conveyed to Mohammadi make it clear that her safety is at risk unless she commits to cease all public participation in Iran and all international advocacy or media appearances in support of democracy, human rights and freedom of expression,” the Nobel committee added in a statement.
Over the past year, she has continued to protest, refusing to wear the mandatory headscarf and meeting fellow activists across the country.
According to her foundation, Mohammadi was arrested 13 times during her life and sentenced to more than 36 years in prison and 154 lashes.
