(AP) — Iranian authorities have arrested Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, her supporters said Friday, amid ongoing concerns over her health and safety.
The Narges Foundation reported that Mohammadi, 53, was detained while attending a memorial for a human rights lawyer whose death remains disputed. The foundation said other activists were also arrested at the event.
There was no immediate comment from Iranian officials regarding her detention or whether she would be returned to prison to serve the remainder of her sentence. Her supporters described the arrest as violent and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained.
Mohammadi had been serving a sentence of thirteen years and nine months on charges including collusion against state security and propaganda against the government. She was also a prominent supporter of nationwide protests following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, which sparked demonstrations in which women publicly defied hijab rules.
Her supporters have repeatedly warned that Mohammadi remains at risk if returned to prison, citing her medical history. While on furlough in December 2024, originally intended for three weeks, she stayed out of detention amid pressure from activists and international actors. During this period, she continued her activism, including public protests and media appearances, even demonstrating outside Tehran’s Evin prison.
Mohammadi has suffered multiple heart attacks and underwent emergency surgery in 2022. In late 2024, doctors removed a bone lesion that raised cancer concerns. Her medical team had recommended an extension of her leave for six months to monitor her condition, provide physiotherapy, and ensure specialized cardiac care. They warned that a return to prison without adequate medical facilities could severely worsen her health.
An engineer by training, Mohammadi has been imprisoned thirteen times and convicted on five occasions. Over her career, she has received sentences totaling more than thirty years, making her one of Iran’s most prominent and repeatedly targeted human rights defenders.
