Iran arrests Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi

2025-12-12 21:32:10, Kosova & Bota CNA

The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate from Iran, Narges Mohammadi, has been arrested along with several other human rights activists. They were arrested during a memorial ceremony in the northeastern city of Mashhad.

According to the Narges Mohammadi Foundation, the arrest occurred on December 11, during a ceremony marking the seventh day of the death of Khosrow Alikordi, a well-known lawyer and human rights advocate.

A large crowd attended the ceremony, which also included prominent activists, former political prisoners, and family members demanding justice for victims of state violence.

A post on Mohammadi's X account said she was "forcibly arrested by security agents." Her husband, Taghi Rahmani, who lives in France, confirmed that "Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian and several others" were arrested during the rally.

Videos circulating on social media showed a large turnout, with protesters chanting slogans critical of the Islamic Republic. In one widely shared video, Mohammadi and fellow activist Sepideh Gholian were seen standing on top of a car, leading the crowd in chants such as “Long live Iran!”

Other footage showed security forces clashing with participants, with officers attacking protesters as they chanted slogans against the authorities.

Officials in Mashhad later confirmed that several civil society activists had been arrested. According to officials, Mohammadi’s detention was temporary and had been ordered by the prosecutor’s office due to what they described as “slogans that violate norms.” According to officials, they have been placed “under protection” and that the arrests were carried out “for their safety.”

Earlier reports said that several other prominent figures, including Nasrin Sotoudeh, Aliyeh Motallebzadeh and Hasti Amiri, were also present at the ceremony.

Narges Mohammadi, 53, has spent most of the past decade behind bars. She was serving a sentence of 13 years and nine months in prison before being released on health grounds in early December 2024.

Following her latest arrest, she is reportedly receiving medical treatment.

Since her release in 2024, Mohammadi had resumed her human rights work, meeting with activists across Iran and participating in international discussions, including virtual conferences with foreign officials. /REL