Iranian authorities have violently arrested Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi at a memorial ceremony for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad, sparking widespread outrage among her supporters. The arrest, which occurred on Friday, was confirmed by Mohammadi's Paris-based husband, Taghi Rahmani, who stated that his wife had been detained along with fellow prominent activist Sepideh Gholian.
Alikordi, 45, a lawyer who defended clients in sensitive cases, including those arrested during nationwide protests in 2022, was found dead in his office last week. Human rights groups have called for an investigation into his death, which they suspect may have been the result of state murder.
Mohammadi, 53, has spent most of her life behind bars, having been arrested multiple times since 2021. Her arrest at the memorial ceremony was seen as a move to suppress her activism and defiance against the clerical regime that rules Iran. Despite being barred from leaving the country permanently, Mohammadi has continued to address foreign audiences via video conferences and meet with activists across Iran.
The arrest of Mohammadi has sparked widespread condemnation among human rights groups and supporters, who see it as a stark example of the Iranian authorities' efforts to silence dissenting voices. The Nobel Peace Prize winner had been awarded the prize in 2023 for her tireless advocacy on behalf of women's rights and human rights in Iran.
Mohammadi's husband Taghi Rahmani posted footage of his wife attending the memorial ceremony with a crowd of supporters, shouting slogans including "Long live Iran" and "Death to the dictator." The arrest was seen as a violent suppression of Mohammadi's activism, which has been marked by her refusal to wear the headscarf and address foreign audiences.
The Iranian authorities have a history of cracking down on dissident voices, with many activists facing arrest and imprisonment for their advocacy work. Mohammadi's case is just the latest example of this trend, and it has sparked outrage among human rights groups and supporters around the world.
Alikordi, 45, a lawyer who defended clients in sensitive cases, including those arrested during nationwide protests in 2022, was found dead in his office last week. Human rights groups have called for an investigation into his death, which they suspect may have been the result of state murder.
Mohammadi, 53, has spent most of her life behind bars, having been arrested multiple times since 2021. Her arrest at the memorial ceremony was seen as a move to suppress her activism and defiance against the clerical regime that rules Iran. Despite being barred from leaving the country permanently, Mohammadi has continued to address foreign audiences via video conferences and meet with activists across Iran.
The arrest of Mohammadi has sparked widespread condemnation among human rights groups and supporters, who see it as a stark example of the Iranian authorities' efforts to silence dissenting voices. The Nobel Peace Prize winner had been awarded the prize in 2023 for her tireless advocacy on behalf of women's rights and human rights in Iran.
Mohammadi's husband Taghi Rahmani posted footage of his wife attending the memorial ceremony with a crowd of supporters, shouting slogans including "Long live Iran" and "Death to the dictator." The arrest was seen as a violent suppression of Mohammadi's activism, which has been marked by her refusal to wear the headscarf and address foreign audiences.
The Iranian authorities have a history of cracking down on dissident voices, with many activists facing arrest and imprisonment for their advocacy work. Mohammadi's case is just the latest example of this trend, and it has sparked outrage among human rights groups and supporters around the world.