Iran Detains Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi, Sparking Global Outrage
Iran Detains Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi, Sparking Global Outrage
Iran Detains Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi: Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi was detained by security forces at a memorial event in Mashhad, igniting widespread international condemnation and renewed focus on Iran’s human rights record.
Iranian security forces have detained Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, drawing sharp global condemnation and reigniting concerns over Tehran’s treatment of human rights defenders. The 2023 Nobel laureate, a prominent critic of state repression and advocate for women’s rights, was taken into custody alongside several other activists on Friday while attending a memorial ceremony in the northeastern city of Mashhad.
Mohammadi, 53, was present at a service commemorating human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, whose recent death under unclear circumstances has triggered disquiet among civil society groups. Videos shared on social media and reported by international agencies show Mohammadi addressing the crowd without a hijab — in defiance of Iran’s compulsory dress code — and leading chants demanding dignity and freedom.
According to reports, at least eight other activists, including well‑known government critics such as Sepideh Gholian, were also detained during the gathering. Mohammadi’s supporters describe her arrest as violent, with security forces reportedly using force to seize her and others present.
Norwegian Nobel Committee expressed deep alarm.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee expressed deep alarm at the news, condemning what it termed a “brutal” arrest and demanding Iranian authorities clarify Mohammadi’s whereabouts, ensure her safety, and release her immediately and unconditionally. The Committee’s rebuke highlights the dissonance between Iran’s international diplomatic engagements and its domestic policies toward dissenting voices.
Mohammadi’s detention comes amid a broader crackdown on civil society, lawyers, intellectuals, and activists in Iran. The government’s response to internal dissent has hardened in recent years, particularly since the nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. These protests, marked by the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom,” saw widespread calls for social and political reform but were met with extensive state repression.
A seasoned campaigner for human rights, Mohammadi has spent much of the past decade in prison, repeatedly jailed on charges related to “anti‑state propaganda” and “actions against national security.” She had been serving a lengthy sentence in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison before being granted temporary medical leave in December 2024 due to serious health issues, including cardiac complications and a bone condition.
Her re‑arrest has alarmed family members and supporters, who point to her fragile health and warn that detention under stressful conditions could worsen her condition. Mohammadi has not been able to reunite with her twin children — who accepted her Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in Oslo in 2023 — for over a decade.
Iran Detains Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi: Human rights organizations worldwide condemned the arrest
Human rights organizations worldwide have swiftly condemned the arrest. The Free Narges Coalition and several international NGOs have called for immediate action to secure her release and respect fundamental freedoms. Their statements emphasize that Mohammadi’s detention represents a serious violation of basic human rights, particularly the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and due process.
Critics argue that the Iranian government’s actions undermine its efforts to project a more open international image, particularly as Tehran navigates complex diplomatic relationships and faces ongoing economic and geopolitical pressures. Some analysts suggest that the detentions may be part of a broader strategy to stifle dissent and intimidate civil society ahead of potential political negotiations at home and abroad.
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The global outcry over Mohammadi’s arrest is likely to intensify calls for accountability and shine renewed attention on Iran’s human rights record. As the situation unfolds, international observers and rights advocates are urging continued diplomatic pressure and sustained visibility for issues of civil liberties and justice in Iran.
