Iran Takes Nobel Winner's Peace Prize

It's never happened before, say outraged officials in Norway
By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 26, 2009 1:06 PM CST
Iran Takes Nobel Winner's Peace Prize
Iranian human rights activist Shirin Ebadi.   (AP Photo)

In what would be a dastardly first, Norway has accused Iranian authorities of stealing a Nobel Peace Prize. The prize belongs to Iranian national Shirin Ebadi, a human rights lawyer who received the honor in 2003. “The medal and the diploma have been removed from Dr. Ebadi’s bank box, together with other personal items,” said Norway’s foreign minister in a statement. “Such an act leaves us feeling shock and disbelief.”

He said it's "the first time a Nobel Peace Prize has been confiscated by national authorities,” reports the Los Angeles Times. Ebadi has been regularly hassled by the government for her advocacy, and she often gets death threats. No comment yet from Iran on the Norway allegations.
(More Shirin Ebadi stories.)

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