DUBAI: Iran has arrested Nobel Peace Prize winner Nargis Mohammadi, her supporters said. A foundation named after Nargis said on Friday that she was detained in Mashhad, about 680 km northeast of the capital Tehran, while attending a memorial service for a human rights lawyer who was recently found dead under unclear circumstances.
A local official reportedly confirmed the arrests, but did not directly name Mohammadi (53). It was not clear whether authorities would immediately send her back to prison, where she was serving her sentence until she is granted temporary release for medical purposes in December 2024.
However, their detention comes at a time when Iran is cracking down on intellectuals and others as Tehran grapples with sanctions, an ailing economy and fears of renewed war with Israel. Mohammadi’s arrest could increase pressure from the West, especially at a time when Iran has repeatedly signaled it wants new talks with the United States over its nuclear program—a move that has yet to happen.
“The foundation calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained who attended a memorial service to pay their respects and show solidarity,” the Nargis Foundation said in a statement. “Their arrest is a serious violation of fundamental freedoms.”