Iranian security forces have violently arrested Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi, her foundation has said.
The Narges Foundation stated that Ms. Mohammadi, 53, was detained in the eastern city of Mashhad, alongside other activists.
The Nobel Committee expressed deep concern regarding the brutal arrest of Mohammadi, urging the authorities to immediately clarify her whereabouts, ensure her safety, and release her without conditions. Iran has yet to comment on the situation.
Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her activism against female oppression in Iran and her promotion of human rights.
In December 2024, she had received a temporary release from jail for three weeks on medical grounds after being held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since 2021. She was anticipated to return prison shortly afterward, where she was serving multiple sentences.
The latest arrest occurred as she attended a memorial service for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer whose recent death raised suspicions. At the ceremony, attendees reportedly shouted slogans against the government.
Taghi Rahmani, Ms. Mohammadi's husband, recounted her violent arrest, stating that a witness noted the brutality of the incident, describing it as a violation of human rights laws, akin to an act of revenge.
Mohammadi has spoken out against intensified repression by the Iranian authorities, particularly following a ceasefire with Israel in June 2024. In a recent article for Time magazine, she described the pervasive control of the state over every aspect of people's lives, emphasizing the disruptions caused by surveillance and arbitrary arrests.
Despite numerous threats against her, Mohammadi has resolutely continued her activism, openly defying mandatory dress codes and associating with fellow activists across Iran. Throughout her life, she has faced arrest 13 times, resulting in over 36 years of imprisonment and 154 lashes imposed by the courts.
