Narges Mohammadi, the Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate, endured a brutal ordeal following her arrest last week. Her family revealed she was rushed to a hospital emergency room not once, but twice, after suffering severe beatings while in the custody of Iranian security forces.
The arrest occurred in Mashhad, a city in northeastern Iran, during a memorial gathering. Mohammadi, 53, was present to honor the life of Khosrow Alikordi, a respected human rights lawyer whose recent death has resonated deeply within the activist community.
A brief phone call allowed Mohammadi to share the harrowing details of her detention with her family. She described being subjected to repeated blows, injuries so significant they demanded immediate emergency medical attention. Supporters shared images of her speaking passionately to a crowd moments before the security forces intervened.
Other images circulating depict Mohammadi receiving medical care, a stark visual testament to the violence she experienced. These visuals have fueled growing concern for her well-being and sparked outrage among human rights advocates worldwide.
Iranian authorities remain silent regarding the family’s disturbing account. Despite repeated inquiries, no official statement has been released addressing the allegations of abuse during Mohammadi’s arrest and subsequent detention.
The official explanation offered by authorities attempts to frame the detention as a protective measure. They claim participants at the gathering were temporarily held after chanting “norm-breaking” slogans, suggesting the detention was intended to safeguard Mohammadi from others present.
This arrest casts a dark shadow over Mohammadi’s recent recognition with the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. The award celebrated her unwavering dedication to human rights and women’s rights in Iran – a commitment that has repeatedly led to imprisonment.
Mohammadi has a history of being incarcerated for her activism, and has been released on medical grounds in the past. This latest incident raises serious questions about her safety and the escalating repression faced by human rights defenders within Iran.
