Press notice of December 12, 2025
Iran: Narges Mohammadi and the regime’s fear
Numerous human rights activists and journalists, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Qolian and Alieh Motalebzadeh, were arrested in the eastern Iranian city of Mashhad today.
The arrests occurred during a memorial service for the late human rights lawyer Dr Khosro Alikordi, who passed away a few days ago in suspicious circumstances. Alikordi was a prominent lawyer who defended political prisoners. On 8 December 2025, he was found dead in his office, and the cause of death remains unclear. The memorial service also served as a protest rally, during which Mohammadi gave a speech demanding justice.
Daniela Sepehri, board member of PEN Berlin, said: »The arrests at a memorial service are not only an act of immense disrespect; they also constitute a blatant attack on the fundamental rights to freedom of assembly, expression, and the press. When journalists and human rights activists are arrested for commemorating, it shows how fearful the regime is of free speech. We demand the immediate release of all those arrested.«
PEN Berlin. We stand by our word.