Hesameddin Farzizadeh
Farzizadeh was arrested in 2013 after writing his book From Islam to Islam, which raises questions about Shi’a Islam. He was convicted of apostasy, which carries the death penalty,… More
Saeed Madani
Sociologist Madani was tried in 2013 on national security charges for involvement with opposition groups. After his 2016 release from prison, he was forced into internal exile. In January… More
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
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
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
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
Alaa Mashzoub
On February 2, 2019, Mashzoub was murdered by an anonymous motorcycle gunman in Karbala. Prior to his death, Mashzoub was a vocal critic of Iraqi religious sectarianism and his… More
Ahmad Abdulhusain
On July 25, 2018, the head of the IMN, an Iraqi government holding company, issued an order terminating poet and journalist Abdulhusain as an editor-in-chief following his refusal to… More
Saad Salloum
Writer and coordinator of the Masarat Foundation for Cultural and Media Development, Salloum and others at the Foundation faced death threats throughout 2017-18 from an anonymous Islamist organization. The… More
Roberto Saviano
Author Saviano faces three criminal defamation lawsuits for his public remarks brought against him by politicians, including former Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. On… More
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