Atena Farghadani | Status: Detained | Iran
Atena Farghadani is an Iranian artist and political activist. On June 7, 2023, she was summoned to the Evin prosecutor’s office and arrested after posting a political cartoon on… More
Iran: Upcoming appeal of prominent Kurdish filmmaker Keywan Karimi
PEN calls on Iranian authorities to accept filmmaker Keyvan Karimi's appeal and overturn his conviction and sentence of six years' imprisonment and 223 lashes. More
Iran: Poets’ Sentencing Signals New Low
Iranian poets Fatemeh Ekhtesari and Mehdi Musavi have been sentenced to 11. 5 and 9 years in prison, respectively, and 99 lashes each in what PEN American Center today… More
Rights Advocates in Iran Imprisoned in Clampdown on Social Media
Journalist and blogger Marzieh Rasouli has been imprisoned for two years for collaborating with the BBC. Meanwhile, Ghoncheh Ghavami has been detained without a lawyer for pressing for the… More
Five Poems from Prison
In 2012, Alireza Roshan was incarcerated at Evin prison in Iran—known for housing political prisoners and dissidents—on charges of “incitement and collusion with intent to disrupt national security." He… More
Iran: More Arrests of Journalists Shine Spotlight on Continuing Restrictions on Freedom of Expression
This article was posted originally by PEN International on July 30, 2014.The continued detention of three journalists arrested in Iran last week is yet another sign of increased pressure… More
Iranian Journalist Saba Azarpeik Under Threat; Detained
Journalist Saba Azarpeik, detained since May 28, 2014 without charge, appeared in court on July 21 and 22 and was reported to be in bad physical and psychological condition.… More
Young Iranian Poet Seeks Refuge
Iranian poet and novelist Payam Feili tells PEN he was forced into exile in Turkey last after being held in a shipping container at an unknown location for 44… More
Celebrating Sanctuary: Exiled Voices Speak Out on World Refugee Day
On World Refugee Day (June 20), PEN International is highlighting its work to protect writers at risk. More
Two Poets Released
PEN International and Freemuse welcome the release on bail of poets and lyricists Fatemeh Ekhtesari and Mehdi Moosavi on January 14, 2013. More