Writers at Risk Database

Hojjatoleslam Hasan Yousefi Eshkevari

Outspoken critic of Iran's theocracy Eshkevari was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2000 upon return from a conference at which Iranian social and political reform was debated.… More

Writers at Risk Database

Atena Farghadani

Farghandani was sentenced to over 12 years in prison for a cartoon she drew to criticize a family planning law, which depicted lawmakers as animals. Her sentence was extended… More

Writers at Risk Database

Ramin Jahanbegloo

Jahanbegloo, author of over 20 books on Iranian current affairs and contributor to international publications, was arrested in April 2006 without charge; though unconfirmed claims say he threatened national… More

Writers at Risk Database

Shahla Lahiji

A pioneering publisher, Lahiji was arrested in 2000 upon her return from a conference. She was charged with spreading anti-state propaganda for criticizing Iran’s policies toward women. She was… More

Writers at Risk Database

Siamak Pourzand

Pourzand, former manager of a cultural center and frequent cultural commentator, passed away after falling from his apartment balcony; though it is unclear whether he jumped or was pushed.… More

Writers at Risk Database

Nasser Zarafshan

Distinguished lawyer and writer Zarafshan was arrested in 2000 after giving a speech alleging that the intelligence services had murdered five intellectuals in 1998. Though a civilian, he was… More

Aras Amiri

Amiri showcased work by Iranian artists at the British Council in the U.K. Upon visiting Iran, she was sentenced to ten years in prison for espionage. Temporarily released during… More

Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee

Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee

Iraee was first sentenced to six years in prison in 2014 on charges related to an unpublished short story criticizing the practice of stoning. Released in April 2019, she… More

Writers at Risk Database

Akbar Ganji

Described as Iran's leading political dissident, Ganji's writings are banned in the country. Ganji was imprisoned from 2001-2006 for participation in an academic conference and investigations into extrajudicial murders… More

Sepideh Jodeyri

Sepideh Jodeyri

Jodeyri's translation of Blue Is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh into Persian made her a persona non grata in Iran. Already facing a campaign of public persecution for… More