Iran jails "alternative Nobel" winner Sotoudeh before award ceremony

An Iranian human rights lawyer and winner of an award often called "the alternative Nobel prize" has been jailed again in Iran on the eve of Thursday's award ceremony, organisers said.

The Right Livelihood Foundation, which awards the prize, said it was "shocked at the news" that Nasrin Sotoudeh has been ordered back to prison, where she is serving a more than 30-year sentence.

Sotoudeh, Iran's first winner of the Right Livelihood Award, was temporarily released on November 7 and contracted COVID-19 while in prison, the foundation said.

"With this latest move, Iranian authorities have demonstrated that they will go to any lengths to deny Sotoudeh her legitimate right to work towards a more just society," said Ole von Uexkull, foundation director.

Sotoudeh is among the winners of the 2020 Right Livelihood Award to be honoured on Thursday at an online ceremony in Stockholm.    (dpa)