Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi detained by Iranian authorities

Supporters of Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi said Friday that Iranian authorities have arrested the prominent human rights activist.

According to the foundation that bears her name, Mohammadi was detained in the northeastern city of Mashhad while attending a memorial service for a human rights lawyer who was recently found dead under unclear circumstances. Mashhad is located about 680 kilometers from Tehran.

A local official reportedly confirmed that arrests took place but did not specifically identify Mohammadi, who is 53. It remains uncertain whether she will be sent back to prison, where she had been serving a sentence before being granted temporary medical leave in December 2024.

Her detention comes amid an intensified crackdown by Iranian authorities on activists, intellectuals, and dissidents as the country grapples with economic hardship, international sanctions, and fears of renewed conflict with Israel. The arrest could increase pressure from Western governments at a time when Tehran has signaled interest in restarting nuclear negotiations with the United States.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee expressed serious concern over Mohammadi's arrest, urging Iranian authorities to immediately clarify her whereabouts, ensure her safety, and release her unconditionally.

Supporters said Mohammadi was forcibly detained by security and police forces during the memorial, where other activists were also reportedly arrested. The ceremony honored Khosrow Alikordi, a 46-year-old lawyer and human rights advocate whose death was officially described as a heart attack, though its timing has raised questions amid heightened security measures. More than 80 lawyers have called for greater transparency surrounding his death.

Human rights advocates condemned the arrests, describing them as an assault on basic freedoms. They said detaining people for attending a memorial reflects deep fear of accountability within the government and highlighted the courage of Iranians who continue to protest peacefully.

Video shared by Mohammadi's supporters showed her speaking to the crowd without wearing a hijab and leading chants in honor of Majidreza Rahnavard, who was publicly executed in 2022. Additional footage appeared to show anti-government slogans being shouted during the gathering.

Mashhad's governor said prosecutors ordered the temporary detention of several participants after what he described as the chanting of inappropriate slogans. He claimed the measures were preventive, though he did not address allegations that force was used during the arrests.

Mohammadi had been on extended medical furlough for several months after her release from prison late last year. Although initially granted for three weeks, the leave was repeatedly extended, possibly due to international pressure. During that time, she continued her activism, participating in protests and speaking to international media, including appearing outside Tehran's Evin prison.

She had been serving a sentence of nearly 14 years on charges related to national security and propaganda against the state and was a vocal supporter of protests following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. Mohammadi has suffered serious health issues while imprisoned, including heart attacks and surgery for a bone lesion that doctors feared could be cancerous.

Medical professionals have warned that returning her to prison without adequate care could seriously endanger her health. An engineer by profession, Mohammadi has been jailed multiple times over the years, receiving sentences totaling more than three decades. Her most recent imprisonment began in 2021 after she attended another memorial linked to nationwide protests.