Call for the Unconditional Release of Narges Mohammadi and Other Detainees from the Memorial Ceremony for the Late Khosrow Alikordi
On 21 Azar 1404 (December 12, 2025), in the city of Mashhad, a memorial ceremony was held to mark the seventh day following the sudden and suspicious death of the late Khosrow Alikordi. The event was organized at the invitation of his brother, Javad Alikordi, and was attended by hundreds of citizens, civil society activists, and human rights defenders.
During the ceremony, while Narges Mohammadi a prominent human rights defender, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and member of the Stop Honor Killings Campaign was delivering her speech, a group deliberately attempted to disrupt the event, prevent her from speaking, and create tension. Shortly thereafter, a large number of government security forces in plain clothes entered the crowd and, through intimidation and the creation of a climate of fear, violently dragged Narges Mohammadi off the stage.
Following this incident, Narges Mohammadi, along with a number of other civil society activists including Sepideh Gholian, Alieh Motalebzadeh, Pouran Nazemi, Hasti Amiri, and many other attendees were violently arrested. According to media reports, the number of detainees exceeds forty people. These actions constitute a clear violation of the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and fundamental principles of fair trial.
Several days after the arrest and effective abduction of Narges Mohammadi and other activists, no official or transparent information has been provided regarding their place of detention, physical condition, or legal status. This lack of information has raised serious concerns about the health and personal safety of those detained. In a brief phone call with her family, Narges Mohammadi reported that during her arrest in Mashhad she was subjected to severe and repeated baton blows to her head and neck, resulting in injuries so serious that she was transferred to the emergency department on two occasions.
The Nobel Peace Prize Committee, numerous international human rights organizations, and Narges Mohammadi’s children have all expressed deep concern about her physical condition and health and have called for her immediate and unconditional release, along with that of all other detainees.
The Stop Honor Killings Campaign, emphasizing the direct responsibility of the Islamic Republic to protect the lives, dignity, and fundamental rights of its citizens, likewise calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi and all individuals who were arrested solely for attending a memorial ceremony and expressing solidarity with a grieving family.
We strongly condemn all forms of repression and call for an end to the securitization of memorial gatherings, civil assemblies, and peaceful civic activities.
The Islamic Republic must immediately put an end to arbitrary arrests, unconditionally release all detainees from this ceremony, and uphold its international human rights obligations.
Stop “Honor” Killings Campaign
Stop Honor Killings Campaign
#NargesMohammadi
#SepidehGholian
#AliehMotallebzadeh
#PouranNazemi
#HastiAmir
#FreeIranActivists
#ReleaseTheDetainees
#NoToRepression
#JusticeAndFreedom
#StandWithIranianWomen
