Supporters of Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi report no contact since her arrest in Iran, with concerns mounting over her wellbeing and location
MASHHAD: There has been no contact with Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi since her arrest last Friday, her supporters said.
Her foundation issued a statement on Sunday urging the Islamic republic to release the campaigner and dozens of others detained alongside her.
Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel winner, was detained after addressing a memorial ceremony in Mashhad for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, who was found dead earlier this month.
Mashhad prosecutor Hassan Hemmatifar stated that 38 people were arrested at the ceremony, including Mohammadi and fellow activist Sepideh Gholian.
Alikordi’s brother, Javad, was arrested later the same day.
Mohammadi had been out of prison on medical leave since December 2024 but continued her campaigning work over the last year.
“No phone call has been made by Mohammadi since her arrest,” her foundation said.
It added that only a limited number of those arrested have been able to contact their families.
The statement expressed deep concern for the physical and psychological wellbeing of all detainees.
It called for their immediate and unconditional release.
The foundation said it learned her case was referred to the Mashhad revolutionary prosecutor and she could face national security charges.
It also stated it had received no information regarding her whereabouts or condition.
Images from the memorial showed Mohammadi not wearing a headscarf while addressing the crowd from atop a car.
Crowds chanted slogans against the authorities before she was “violently” arrested, according to her foundation.
The foundation believes the number of people arrested alongside her may have exceeded 50.
Prosecutor Hemmatifar, quoted by IRNA news agency, said investigations were ongoing.
He accused Javad Alikordi, Gholian, and Mohammadi of making provocative speeches and inciting people to disrupt public order.
Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer who defended people arrested during 2022-2023 protests, was found dead in his office on December 5.
Hemmatifar said the lawyer died of a heart attack and had a natural death.
Mohammadi’s foundation and other activists have described his death as suspicious.
Activists say Iran remains in a deep crackdown more than five months after the end of the 12-day war against Israel.
They report over 1,400 people have been executed so far this year. – AFP
