Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been taken to hospital after being beaten during her arrest last week, according to her family. The allegations have intensified international concern over Iran’s treatment of political prisoners and prominent human rights defenders.
The 53-year-old activist relayed details of the incident in a phone call with relatives on Sunday, her family said. According to the Narges Foundation, she was transferred twice to an emergency department following what she described as a violent assault.
Mohammadi told her family she was “attacked by plain-clothed agents with severe and repeated baton blows to the head and neck.” The foundation said the injuries were serious enough to require urgent medical attention on both occasions.
Iranian authorities have not commented on the specific allegations of violence. However, officials have confirmed her detention, stating she was arrested for making what they called “provocative remarks” during a memorial ceremony in the northeastern city of Mashhad on Friday.
The arrest has drawn sharp criticism from international figures and institutions. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awarded Mohammadi the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, issued a statement expressing grave concern for her safety and demanding her immediate release.
Award-winning Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi, himself previously imprisoned by Iranian authorities, joined calls for Mohammadi’s release. He said her arrest and alleged mistreatment highlighted the continued repression of dissenting voices in the country.
Mohammadi has long been one of Iran’s most prominent human rights advocates, campaigning against the death penalty, the use of solitary confinement, and the systemic discrimination faced by women. Her activism has resulted in multiple arrests and lengthy prison sentences over the past two decades.
At the time she received the Nobel Peace Prize, Mohammadi was already behind bars, serving a sentence handed down on charges including spreading propaganda against the state. Her family accepted the award on her behalf in Oslo, using the platform to call attention to political repression in Iran.
Human rights organisations say her latest arrest follows a familiar pattern. They argue that Iranian authorities routinely target activists during public commemorations or gatherings, particularly those linked to protest movements or victims of state violence.
The memorial ceremony in Mashhad, where Mohammadi was detained, was reportedly held to honour individuals killed during past protests. Such events are closely monitored by security forces and are often swiftly shut down by authorities.
Supporters say the lack of transparency surrounding her condition is deeply troubling. The Narges Foundation said it remains unclear whether she is receiving adequate medical care or whether her injuries have fully been assessed by independent doctors.
International advocacy groups have urged governments and the United Nations to intervene. They argue that Mohammadi’s status as a Nobel laureate places a special responsibility on the global community to ensure her protection.
Iran has repeatedly rejected accusations of mistreating detainees, insisting its security forces act within the law. However, rights groups say cases like Mohammadi’s further erode Tehran’s credibility on human rights.
As pressure mounts, Mohammadi’s family says their priority is her safety and access to proper medical treatment. “Her voice must not be silenced by violence,” the foundation said, calling for her unconditional release and accountability for those responsible.