The recent arrest of Narges Mohammadi has again put focus on the marked escalation Iran has adopted against civil society. Mohammadi, who had been granted a temporary release due to her medical condition, attended a commemoration ceremony for human rights attorney Khosrow Alikordi before being arrested by security forces along with several others.
The recent scene has added to global worries about Iran’s repression against women’s rights activists and journalists.
Arrest & Escalating Repression
It can be recalled that her foundation mentioned prominent protesters such as Sepideh Gholian, Hasti Amiri, Pouran Nazemi and Aliyeh Motalebzadeh were also apprehended. Based on Mohammadi’s statements, there had been a deterioration of the movement’s freedoms since mid-2024.
According to Taghi Rahmani, Mohammadi’s spouse based in Paris, Mohammadi had been forcibly arrested in Mashhad. Alikordi, who Mohammadi honored with her presence at his memorial service, had suffered pressure and interrogation efforts that lasted for several years.
Who is Narges Mohammadi
Mohammadi appears to be one of Iran’s most prominent human rights defenders and the deputy head of an organization called “Defenders of Human Rights Center.” She is perhaps best known for advocating on behalf of women with bodily autonomy and against solitary confinement and abuses within Iran’s most notorious prisons.
Narges Mohammadi Education
Born in 1972 in Zanjan, Iran and educated at Qazvin International University with a degree in physics, her university years included writing columns for various publications, campaigning for women’s rights and several arrests for attending political rallies.
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Narges Mohammadi Career
Prior to involving herself with journalism and human rights activism, Mohammadi worked as an engineer. Mohammadi participated in several progressive newspapers and then joined the Defenders of Human Rights Center, becoming its vice president. A considerable amount of her activism involved documenting torture, abuse of women and violations of due process by the state.
Narges Mohammadi Nobel Prize 2023
Despite being jailed, she received the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her unrelenting struggle against gender discrimination and for democratic values. She delivered her acceptance lecture through smuggled messages read at the event by her kids at Oslo.
Narges Mohammadi Husband
Mohammadi married journalist and activist Taghi Rahmani in 1999. Rahmani, an intermittent prisoner himself, currently resides in France. There are twins from this marriage, whom Mohammadi has raised largely while incarcerated.
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Narges Mohammadi imprisonments & charges
- First arrested in 1998 for criticizing the state.
- Detained again in 2010 because of her activities with DHRC, which caused serious health complications.
- 11 years in 2011, then reduced to six years, arrested again for serving a term.
- Rearrested in 2015 on charges related to activism against the death penalty.
- Arrested several times between 2021 and 2025 for writing, documenting abuse, and attending memorial services for killed protesters.
- Released temporarily in 2024 for surgery, then handed back to Evin and finally arrested again in December 2025.
Narges Mohammadi Awards & Honors
- 2009: Alexander Langer Award
- 2011: Per Anger Prize from the Swedish government
- 2016: Human Rights Award of the City of Weimar
- 2018: Andrei Sakharov Prize from the American Physical Society
- 2022: Named among BBC’s 100 Women
- 2023: Olof Palme Prize, shared with Marta Chumalo and Eren Keskin
- 2023: PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award
- 2023: UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, shared with Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloofar Hamedi
- 2023: Nobel Peace Prize for her fight against oppression and her advocacy for human rights
- 2024: Cinema for Peace Honorary Award
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Disclaimer: This article is based on verified information and is intended for journalistic purposes only, without influencing legal or political proceedings.