Iranian security forces have violently arrested Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi, her foundation has stated.
The Narges Foundation reported that her brother confirmed Ms Mohammadi was detained in the eastern city of Mashhad, along with other activists. The organization has called for the immediate release of the 53-year-old and the other activists detained alongside her. As of now, the Iranian government has not commented on the situation.
Ms Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her brave activism against female oppression in Iran and for her promotion of human rights.
In December 2024, she had been granted a temporary release from jail for three weeks due to medical reasons after being held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since 2021. She was expected to return to prison soon after, where she was serving multiple sentences.
Her latest arrest reportedly occurred as she attended a memorial service for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer who was recently found dead under suspicious circumstances. Norways-based group Iran Human Rights has called for an independent inquiry into his death.
Several activists were also detained at the memorial, reportedly shouting slogans such as death to the dictator and long live Iran. Taghi Rahmani, Ms Mohammadi's husband, described her arrest as violent and indicative of a growing crackdown in Iran.
Ms Mohammadi had recently criticized the Iranian authorities for increasing repression following a ceasefire with Israel in June. In a recent article for Time magazine, she highlighted the regime's control over various aspects of personal and public life, including widespread surveillance and arbitrary arrests.
Throughout her life, Mohammadi has been arrested 13 times and sentenced to a staggering 36 years in prison, alongside receiving 154 lashes, according to her foundation.
