On December 12, 2025, Alieh Motalebzadeh, a journalist, documentary filmmaker, and human rights activist, was arrested by Iranian security forces during a memorial for dissident human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi in the northeastern city of Mashhad.
Motalebzadeh, who previously worked for Zanan monthly magazine and Iran-e Farda weekly, was detained alongside several other activists, including Sepideh Gholian, a freelance journalist and activist; Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Hasti Amiri, a student activist and columnist; and Pouran Nazemi, a human rights activist.
Her family confirmed that Motalebzadeh was transferred after her arrest to a detention facility operated by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence in Mashhad, the capital of Khorasan Razavi province. Iranian authorities did not disclose any charges or information about her legal status.
Iran’s nationwide internet blackout, imposed since January 8 has prevented contact with detainees’ families and limited access to updated information.
Motalebzadeh has been arrested multiple times in recent years in connection with her journalism and human rights work, including reporting on women’s rights, political prisoners, and state repression. She has previously faced prison sentences and judicial harassment related to her peaceful media activities, according to rights groups.
Her daughter, Ghazal Abdollahi, who lives in Germany, told CPJ that Motalebzadeh was released on January 13, 2026, for health reasons, but charges have not been dismissed.
“She was only released because her health [deterioration] had reached a life-threatening stage,” Abdollahi said, noting that the journalist had been undergoing cancer treatment, including a recent surgery, at the time of her detention.
Abdollahi said her mother was beaten and her health deteriorated severely while in detention. She was held in a small cell with other detainees under poor conditions, informed sources told CPJ on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
Motalebzadeh has been imprisoned multiple times over her journalism and media-related activities and was last released in February 2023.
CPJ emailed Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York for comment but received no response.