Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Detained in Iran Amid Rising Activism Crackdown

Sat Dec 13 2025 21:05:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The recent arrest of Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi by Iranian authorities raises concerns about the intensifying oppression of activists in the country.

Narges Mohammadi, a prominent women's rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was arrested in Mashhad, Iran, along with other activists during a memorial ceremony. The Nobel Committee expressed deep concern over her violent arrest, urging Iranian authorities to ensure her safety and release her. Mohammadi's ongoing activism against female oppression and human rights abuses in Iran has made her a target for the regime, with her arrests reportedly totaling 13 over her lifetime and heavy sentences imposed. The circumstances surrounding her latest detention have prompted calls for accountability and transparency from the international community.

Iranian security forces have violently arrested Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi, her foundation has reported.

The Narges Foundation stated that Ms. Mohammadi, 53, was detained in the eastern city of Mashhad along with other activists during a memorial ceremony for a deceased lawyer. The Nobel Committee responded with deep concern, demanding immediate clarification of her whereabouts and calling for her unconditional release.

This notable activist, honored with the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her fight against gender oppression in Iran, had been released temporarily in December 2024 due to medical reasons after spending time at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

Mohammadi's recent arrest came as she attended a gathering for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer whose suspicious death has raised alarms among human rights groups.

Witnesses reported that several activists were also taken into custody during the event for chanting anti-government slogans. Mohammadi’s husband described the arrest as an act of revenge and a blatant violation of human rights.

The activist has been critical of increasing governmental repression since the June ceasefire with Israel, emphasizing the competing narratives of state-controlled peace interwoven with human rights violations.

Throughout her struggle, Mohammadi has been a staunch opponent of mandatory dress codes and has faced multiple arrests, serving a cumulative sentence of over 36 years and 154 lashes.