Nobel peace laureate Narges Mohammadi arrested in Iran, supporters say

Rights groups say Mohammadi, who won 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, was detained at ceremony in northeastern city of Mashhad.Published On 12 Dec 2025Supporters of 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi say she has been arrested while attending a memorial ceremony in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad.The Narges Foundation said on Friday that Mohammadi, 53, was arrested during an event honouring a human rights lawyer who recently died in unclear circumstances.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Who is Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi?list 2 of 3‘Victory is near’: Jailed Iranian activist wins Nobel Peace Prizelist 3 of 3Iran committed crimes against humanity during protest crackdown, UN saysend of listIranian authorities have not commented on her reported detention, and it remains uncertain whether she will be returned to prison to complete a previous sentence.The arrest comes amid a broader clampdown on activists and civil society figures as Iran faces sanctions, economic pressures and heightened regional tensions.Her supporters described Mohammadi as having been “violently detained earlier today by security and police forces”, adding that several other activists were also taken into custody.They had gathered to commemorate Khosrow Alikordi, a 46-year-old lawyer and rights advocate who was found dead in his office this month. Local officials said he suffered a heart attack, though more than 80 lawyers have signed a statement seeking further clarification.“The Narges Foundation calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained individuals who were attending a memorial ceremony to pay their respects and demonstrate solidarity,” the group said. “Their arrest constitutes a serious violation of fundamental freedoms.”The Norwegian Nobel Committee called for the immediate release of Mohammadi after what it called her “brutal” arrest in Iran.