Iranian security forces have violently arrested Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi, her foundation has announced.
The Narges Foundation stated that the 53-year-old was detained in the eastern city of Mashhad during a gathering for other activists.
The Nobel Committee expressed its deep concern regarding Mohammadi's arrest, demanding that Iranian authorities disclose her location, ensure her safety, and release her unconditionally. So far, there has been no official comment from Iran.
Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless fight against female oppression in Iran and her ardent advocacy for human rights.
In December 2024, she had been granted temporary release from prison on medical grounds after enduring over three years at Tehran's notorious Evin prison. She was expected to return to her sentence shortly.
The recent arrest occurred as she attended a memorial for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer found dead under suspicious circumstances, prompting demands for an independent investigation into his death.
During the memorial, attendees reportedly shouted slogans such as death to the dictator and long live Iran, leading to the detention of several activists.
Taghi Rahmani, Mohammadi's husband, described the arrest as a violent act witnessed by Alikordi's brother and condemned it as a violation of human rights that signifies increasing repression from the Iranian regime.
Mohammadi had previously accused Iranian authorities of escalating repression since a ceasefire with Israel in June. Her recent writings detailed the state’s pervasive control over personal and public life.
Throughout her lifetime, she has faced 13 arrests, resulting in over 36 years of imprisonment and 154 lashes, according to her foundation.
