Mashhad : Iranian authorities have arrested Nobel peace prize laureate Narges Mohammadi once again, sparking strong reactions from supporters and international rights groups.
Mohammadi was detained in the city of Mashhad while attending a memorial service for human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi. According to activists present at the event, security forces moved in during the gathering and took her into custody along with several others. Supporters say she was handled roughly as she was taken away.
At the time of her arrest, Mohammadi was on medical leave from prison due to serious health concerns, including heart related problems. Despite her temporary release, she had continued to speak publicly about human rights issues, including opposition to executions and the treatment of women and political prisoners in Iran.
Human rights groups say at least eight other activists were also detained at the memorial. They describe the action as part of a wider effort by authorities to suppress public expressions of dissent and prevent solidarity among activists.
The arrest drew immediate international condemnation. The Norwegian Nobel committee called the detention unacceptable and urged Iranian authorities to release Mohammadi without delay. Several global human rights organizations also expressed concern, warning that her return to prison could endanger her health.
Mohammadi received the Nobel peace prize in 2023 in recognition of her long struggle for women’s rights and her campaign against the death penalty in Iran. She has spent years behind bars and faces multiple prison sentences linked to national security related charges.
Supporters say her latest detention highlights the continuing pressure faced by activists in Iran and are calling on the international community to maintain attention on her case and on the broader human rights situation in the country.