In brief
Narges Mohammadi, a renowned Iranian activist awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for her efforts in promoting women's rights, has reportedly been violently arrested by Iranian security forces in Mashhad. The arrest occurred while she attended a memorial for a deceased lawyer, with reports indicating that several activists were detained alongside her. Mohammadi's ongoing advocacy against the Iranian regime's oppression, including previous imprisonments, emphasizes the rising tensions surrounding human rights in Iran.
Iranian security forces have 'violently arrested' Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi, according to her foundation. The Narges Foundation reports that her brother confirmed her detention in Mashhad, along with several other activists.
The foundation has called for the immediate release of the 53-year-old and the other detained activists. As of now, the Iranian government has not made any public comments regarding the arrests.
Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her activism against female oppression and her dedication to human rights.
In December 2024, she received a temporary release from Tehran's notorious Evin prison on medical grounds after being incarcerated since 2021. However, she was set to return to prison soon after her conditional release.
The latest reports suggest her arrest coincided with a memorial ceremony held for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer whose suspicious death has raised concerns, prompting calls for an independent inquiry from the Norway-based group Iran Human Rights.
At the memorial, attendees reportedly shouted slogans like 'death to the dictator' and 'long live Iran.' Taghi Rahmani, Mohammadi's husband, claimed the authorities' actions amount to retaliation and expressed concern about the intensified crackdown by the Iranian regime.
Since the ceasefire with Israel in June, Mohammadi has denounced the government’s increasing repression, highlighting widespread censorship, surveillance, and arbitrary arrests in an article for Time magazine. Her lifelong commitment to activism led to her being arrested thirteen times, with sentences summing to over 36 years of imprisonment and 154 lashes imposed.
