Nobel laureate Nargis Mohammadi arrested in Iran, supporters say

The Nargis Mohammadi Foundation, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and women’s rights activist, said Iranian security forces “violently arrested” her.

The Nargis Foundation said her brother confirmed Ms Mohammadi was detained in the eastern city of Mashhad along with other activists.

It called for the immediate release of the 53-year-old woman and the activists detained with her. Iran did not appear to comment.

Ms Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her activities against the oppression of women in Iran and promoting human rights.

In December 2024, she temporarily released from prison After being held in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison since 2021, he was held for three weeks for health reasons.

She is expected to return to prison soon, where she is currently serving her sentence.

Her latest arrest reportedly came when she attended a memorial service for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, who was found dead in his office last week.

The Norway-based Iranian human rights group called for an independent investigation to determine the cause of his death, calling the circumstances of his death “suspicious.”

Several other activists were detained at the ceremony and reportedly chanted slogans including “Death to the dictator” and “Long live Iran.”

Taghi Rahmani, Ms Mohammadi’s husband, told BBC Persian: “They arrested Nargis violently. Her arrest was witnessed by the lawyer’s brother at the memorial.

“This behavior breaches human rights laws and amounts to a form of retaliation.

“What happened today in Mashhad is worrying as the agency’s repression has intensified recently.”

Ms Mohammadi recently accused Iranian authorities of intensifying repression since a cease-fire with Israel in June.

Last week she wrote Time magazine article Regarding the Iranian state’s control of every aspect of personal or public life.

“Their peace is undermined by surveillance, censorship, arbitrary arrests, torture and the constant threat of violence,” she said.

She also told the Nobel Committee that she Received warning from “regime agents” Through indirect channels and her attorney.

The Nobel committee added in a statement: “The threats communicated to Ms. Mohammadi clearly indicate that her safety is at risk unless she commits to ending all public participation in Iran and any international advocacy or media appearances in support of democracy, human rights and freedom of expression.”

Over the past year, she has continued to remain defiant, refusing to wear the mandatory headscarf and meeting with activists across the country.

According to the Mohammadi Foundation, she was arrested 13 times in her life and sentenced to more than 36 years in prison and 154 lashes.