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
Zahra Rahnavard
Rahnavard has been under unofficial house arrest since February 2011 for her and her husband’s political activism in support of anti-government protests and women's rights. No charges have been… More
Sedigheh Vasmaghi
Vasmaghi was imprisoned in a sham trial in 2017 for her human rights work but was released on bail. In October 2020, she was sentenced to a year in… More
Shiva Nazar Ahari
A founder of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, Ahari has been jailed several times for her work documenting the suffering of Iranians. Most recently, she was imprisoned from… 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
Atena Farghadani
In 2014, Farghadani 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… 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
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
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