The Iranian regime arrested Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi on Friday, who was awarded the prize in 2023 following her three-decade campaign for women's rights and the abolition of the death penalty in Iran.
She was arrested during a memorial service for a lawyer who died under suspicious circumstances, according to a report by Walla.
Mohammadi had previously served multiple sentences on charges including "spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic." Late last year, she was released from Tehran's notorious Evin Prison after her jail term was suspended to allow her to undergo medical treatment.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee condemned the 'brutal' arrest
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the prize, issued a statement condemning the arrest as "brutal" and calling for her immediate release.
"Ms. Mohammadi is a staunch defender of human rights, freedom of expression, and democratic participation in Iran," the statement read. "The Norwegian Nobel Committee calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately clarify Mohammadi’s whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and release her without conditions."
The committee declared that they "stand in solidarity with Narges Mohammadi and all those in Iran who work peacefully for human rights, the rule of law, and freedom of expression."
The arrest comes a day after this year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela, arrived in Norway to collect her award.
"Given the close collaboration between the regimes in Iran and Venezuela, the Norwegian Nobel Committee notes that Ms Mohammadi was arrested just as the Nobel Peace Prize had been awarded to the Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado," said the committee.