Shiva Nazar Ahari is an Iranian journalist, blogger, human rights activist, and former political prisoner. Her most recent imprisonment was a four-year sentence from September 2012 to 2016. She was convicted on charges of “waging war against god,” “spreading propaganda against the system,” and “gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security” for her alleged participation in political gatherings in 2009. In October 2018, Ahari relocated to Ljubljana, Slovenia under the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) Program, through which cities offer refuge for writers, journalists, and artists at risk.

Case Background

Case updates

October 2018: Ahari relocates to Ljubljana, Slovenia under the ICORN Program and will pursue her work for change in Iran from a place of refuge for two years.

September 8, 2012: Ahari is arrested alongside another female activist to serve the four-year sentence upheld on January 28, 2011.

September 12, 2010: Ahari is released on bail pending the outcome of her appeal.

December 20, 2009: Ahari is re-arrested with other activists attempting to travel for the funeral of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri.

October 13, 2009: Ahari is released on bail after being in solitary confinement for more than a month.

June 14, 2009: Ahari is arrested and taken to the Evin prison.

IN THEIR WORDS

During her time in prison after missing father’s day for two consecutive years, Ahari wrote a letter to her father drawing attention to the imprisonment of several thinkers in Iran and urged strength.