Iranian security forces have violently arrested Nobel Peace Prize winner and women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi, her foundation has said.
The Narges Foundation stated that Ms Mohammadi, 53, was detained in the eastern city of Mashhad, along with other activists.
The Nobel Committee expressed its deep concern regarding the brutal arrest and called for her whereabouts to be clarified, ensuring her safety and integrity, and for her unconditional release. Iran has not provided any remarks regarding this incident.
Ms Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her activism against female oppression in Iran and for promoting human rights.
Last December, she was temporarily released from jail on medical grounds after being incarcerated in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since 2021.
Her latest arrest reportedly took place while she attended a memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer who was found dead under suspicious circumstances. The Norway-based group Iran Human Rights has called for an independent inquiry into his death.
Several activists were also detained during the gathering where they reportedly shouted anti-government slogans. Mohammadi's husband, Taghi Rahmani, described the arrest as violent and indicated a troubling rise in state repression.
Mohammadi has been a vocal critic of the Iranian regime, frequently calling out the government's tactics of intimidation and repression, particularly since the June ceasefire with Israel. In a recent article in Time magazine, she condemned the Iranian state for its pervasive control over daily life, describing rampant surveillance and violation of human rights.
Throughout her activism, Mohammadi has faced numerous arrests and sentences, accumulating over 36 years of imprisonment and 154 lashes according to her foundation.
