Children of imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi accept the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf
Helsinki, Dec 10: The children of imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi have accepted this year's Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf in a ceremony Sunday in the Norwegian capital. Mohammadi is renowned for campaigning for women's rights and democracy in her country, as well as fighting against the death penalty.
Ali and Kiana Rahmani, Mohammadi's twin 17-year-old children who live in exile in Paris with their father.
Mohammadi, 51, was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize in October for her decades of activism despite numerous arrests by Iranian authorities and spending years behind bars. She is currently detained in a prison in Tehran.
At a news conference in Oslo on Saturday, Kiana Rahmani read out a message from her mother, in which the imprisoned activist praised the role international media played in "conveying the voice of dissenters, protesters and human rights defenders to the world."
Kiana Rahmani said she held little hope of seeing her mother again.
"Maybe I'll see her in 30 or 40 years, but I think I won't see her again. But that doesn't matter, because my mother will always live on in my heart, values that are worth fighting for," she said.
Mohammadi's brother and husband told reporters in Oslo that she planned to go on a hunger strike on Sunday in solidarity with the Baha'i Faith religious minority in Iran.
Rahmani's husband, Taghi, previously said that he hasn't been able to see his wife for 11 years, and their children haven't seen their mother for seven.
Mohammadi played a leading role in protests triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last year while in police custody for allegedly violating the country's strict headscarf law which forces women to cover their hair and entire bodies.
Iranian authorities banned members of Amini's family from traveling to accept the European Union's top human rights prize the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on her behalf, the U.S.-based HRANA said late Saturday.
Narges Mohammadi is the 19th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize and the second Iranian woman after human rights activist Shirin Ebadi won the award in 2003.
It's the fifth time in the 122-year history of the awards that the peace prize has been given to someone who is in prison or under house arrest.
The rest of the Nobel prizes are set to be handed out in separate ceremonies in Stockholm later Sunday.
Watch the very moment Narges Mohammadi’s children collected this year’s Nobel Peace Prize medal and diploma on behalf of their mother who is currently imprisoned. Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her work on human rights.
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) December 10, 2023
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Telangana teen dies by suicide after losing Rs 1 lakh in online betting
Hyderabad: An 18-year-old youth from Telangana’s Sangareddy district died by suicide after allegedly losing Rs 1 lakh on an online betting application, police said.
According to report published by NDTV on Friday, the deceased, identified as Vikram, was a resident of the Kandukur area. According to police, he consumed insecticide after suffering heavy financial losses through online betting. Vikram's family saw him taking the extreme step and rushed him to a hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment. The police have registered a case.
This is not an isolated case. Just a few weeks ago, a taxi driver in Hyderabad died by suicide after accumulating massive debts due to online betting apps.
The victim, Paladugu Sai (24) from Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district, had reportedly been addicted to betting for nearly two years. He borrowed money from friends, relatives and banks, and was facing debts of around Rs 15 lakh at the time of his death. He too consumed pesticide and died during treatment.
Meanwhile, another similar case was reported from Madhya Pradesh recently. A 32-year-old civil contractor allegedly died by suicide in his house in Bhopal last week after losing nearly Rs 30 lakh in an online game. Police recovered a note from his house stating that he had taken loans to play an online game called Aviator. A case has been registered in that matter as well.
Police and experts have repeatedly warned about the rising menace of online betting and gaming platforms, urging people especially youth to stay away from such activities and seek help in case of addiction or financial distress.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
