Ms Ebadi, 60, won the Nobel prize in 2003 for her work in defending human rights.

BBC: Top Iranian dissident threatened

He did not offer to give his prize to fellow peace prize laureate Shirin Ebadi.

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Ms Ebadi, an outspoken critic of Iran's leadership, said she had forwarded the threats to the chief of Iranian police.

BBC: Top Iranian dissident threatened

Ms Ebadi said she had "received many threatening messages" since leaving Iran.

BBC: Shirin Ebadi Nobel Peace Prize medal 'seized by Iran'

But Ms Ebadi said she would not let anyone prevent her from carrying out her "legal activities" and would eventually go back to Iran.

BBC: Shirin Ebadi Nobel Peace Prize medal 'seized by Iran'

The other laureates to sign the letter are Rigoberta Menchu of Guatemala, Mairead Maguire of Ireland, South African Desmond Tutu, U.S. national Jody Williams, and Iran's Shirin Ebadi.

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Ms Ebadi, the first Muslim women to be awarded a Nobel prize, has been away from Iran since travelling to Spain for a conference the day before the 12 June election.

BBC: Shirin Ebadi Nobel Peace Prize medal 'seized by Iran'