Rights groups say Mohammadi, who won 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, was detained at ceremony in northeastern city of Mashhad.Published On 12 Dec 202512 Dec 2025Click here to share on social mediashare2ShareSupporters 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 itemsend 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.”Regular protestsFootage circulating online appeared to show Mohammadi addressing the crowd without a headscarf and leading chants referencing Majidreza Rahnavard, who was executed in public in 2022. Advertisement Mohammadi was granted temporary medical leave from prison in December 2024 after suffering longstanding health problems.Although the leave was initially limited to three weeks, it was extended as she underwent treatment, including surgery for a bone lesion and ongoing cardiac care.The Free Narges Coalition said earlier this year that doctors advised she should remain on medical leave for at least six more months.“Mohammadi’s doctors recently prescribed …
