Supporters Say No Contact With Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi Since Her Arrest in Iran

Supporters of Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi say they have had no contact with her since her arrest late last week, raising growing concerns about her safety and well being and renewing calls for her immediate release.

Mohammadi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 for her long running campaign for human rights and women’s freedoms in Iran, was detained on Friday after speaking at a memorial ceremony in the eastern city of Mashhad. The event was held to honor lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, who was found dead earlier this month under circumstances that have drawn public attention and concern.

In a statement released on Sunday, Mohammadi’s supporters said repeated attempts to obtain information about her condition or whereabouts had been unsuccessful. They urged Iranian authorities to clarify her status and to release her along with dozens of others who were detained at the same event.

According to Mashhad prosecutor Hassan Hemmatifar, a total of 38 people were arrested during or shortly after the memorial ceremony. Those detained included Mohammadi and fellow well known activist Sepideh Gholian, who has previously been imprisoned for her involvement in labor and protest movements. Alikordi’s brother, Javad, was also arrested later on the same day, authorities said.

Supporters described the arrests as deeply troubling and said they appeared to target individuals known for their civic engagement and advocacy. They warned that the lack of communication with Mohammadi was particularly alarming given her past treatment in detention and her ongoing health issues, which have previously required medical care.

Mohammadi has spent much of the past decade in and out of prison, facing multiple convictions linked to her activism, public statements, and involvement in campaigns against the death penalty and compulsory veiling. Despite repeated detentions, she has remained a prominent voice within Iran’s civil society, often communicating from prison through letters and statements that have drawn international attention.

Her Nobel Prize win was celebrated globally but criticized by Iranian authorities, who dismissed the award as politically motivated. Since then, rights groups say pressure on Mohammadi and other activists has intensified, with arrests, summonses, and restrictions continuing across the country.

Human rights organizations and international supporters have called on Iran to respect freedom of expression and assembly, stressing that attending or speaking at a memorial ceremony should not be treated as a criminal act. They have also urged Tehran to ensure due process for all those detained and to allow access to legal counsel and family contact.

The arrest comes amid a broader climate of tension between Iranian authorities and activists, lawyers, and journalists, many of whom say space for peaceful dissent has narrowed further in recent months. Observers say high profile detentions often send a chilling message to wider society.

As calls for her release grow louder, supporters say the silence surrounding Mohammadi’s situation is adding to fears for her safety. They are urging Iranian officials to provide information immediately and to release those detained, warning that continued secrecy will only deepen international concern.