Writers at Risk Database
PEN America champions the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. The bedrock work of the global PEN network is advocacy and assistance on behalf of individuals persecuted for their use of the written word or other forms of expression. PEN America’s Writers at Risk Database is a searchable catalog of the writers, journalists, academics, public intellectuals and others under threat around the world. The database includes historical cases PEN America has worked on from 1987 onwards; non-active cases are color-coded black. PEN America is grateful to the John Templeton Foundation for support that enabled the establishment of the Writers at Risk Database and to PEN International for their collaboration in assembling this database.
Filters
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Status
ReleasedReza Khandan Mahabadi
Literary writerIranMiddle East and North AfricaKhandan Mahabadi, with two other members of the Iranian Writers’ Association, was arrested in May 2019 for opposing state censorship. An appeals judge upheld his six-year sentence, and the trio was summoned to Evin prison in September 2020. Released on a medical furlough in December 2021 after contracting COVID-19, he…
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ConvictedReza Mohammadi
PoetIranMiddle East and North AfricaReza Mohammadi, a poet and literary critic, was arrested on October 18, 2022, alongside his wife Mandana Sadeghi. He was later summoned to court in 2024 and tried in March 2025 along with his wife and others in connection with reporting related to the 2022 Abadan building collapse. On March…
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MurderedRezaul Karim Siddique
Editor, Literary writer, Poet, ScholarBangladeshAsia-PacificRezaul Karim Siddique was a professor, writer, and secular activist, widely recognized for his outspoken criticism of religious extremism and militancy. On April 23, 2016, Siddique was brutally hacked to death near his home in Rajshahi. His murder was believed to be a retaliation for his critical writings, which opposed…
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Continued HarassmentRichard Medhurst
Journalist, Online CommentatorAustriaEurope and Central AsiaBritish journalist Richard Medhurst was arrested at Heathrow Airport upon returning to the UK in August 2024 for “terrorism.” He was held for almost 24 hours. In February 2025, he was detained by Austrian authorities due to his reporting on the Middle East. Authorities threatened to revoke his Austrian residency…
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Displaced/In ExileRichard Zamora
Singer/SongwriterCubaAmericasZamora is a lyricist who frequently expresses critical ideas about the Cuban government in his music. On July 12, 2021, Zamora was arrested after participating in the 11J protests and later transferred to prison under the charges of public disorder, robbery with force, and disturbances. He was finally released on…
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ReleasedRida Benotmane
Activist, Journalist, Literary writer, Online CommentatorMoroccoMiddle East and North AfricaRida Benotmane served a prison sentence from 2007 to 2011 for online posts. He was re-arrested on September 9, 2022 for various online comments, including Facebook posts calling for a public march against security force abuses and two YouTube videos denouncing authorities for ignoring demands for social justice. The next…
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Continued HarassmentRobert Aquilina
Activist, Literary writerMaltaEurope and Central AsiaRobert Aquilina, a Maltese literary writer and activist, has faced ongoing harassment in connection with his advocacy and public commentary. On June 12, 2025, his wife issued a statement denying allegations of violence and criticizing alleged leaks and misinformation from police sources. In August 2025, reports indicated that his police…
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On TrialRobert Kyagulanyi
Activist, Creative artistUgandaSub-Saharan AfricaMusician Bobi Wine has galvanized a generation of Ugandans to seek new leadership. He has opposed President Museveni’s policies and has been barred from performing his music. He is currently on trial for disobedience charges related to his protest of new tax laws in 2018. Over the years, he has…
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Displaced/In ExileRobert Posada Rosero
Journalist, Literary writerColombiaAmericasAuthor of four short novels and a journalist, Rosero left Colombia for his safety after receiving three separate death threats in December 2021. Despite his requests, authorities have declined to provide protection. He continues his work in exile and is currently preparing the publication of a new book, El crimen…
Writers at Risk Database Key:
STATUS box that is red: Active case
STATUS box that is black: Inactive case
Funder
PEN America is deeply grateful to the John Templeton Foundation for its generous support of the Freedom to Write Index and Writers at Risk Database.
Partner
PEN America thanks the PEN International Secretariat and the Writers in Prison Committee for their extensive contributions to and collaboration on compiling the cases included in this database.