Taghavi's daughter expresses joy over reunification while urging attention to continued detentions in Iran.
German-Iranian Activist Nahid Taghavi Released After Four Years in Prison
German-Iranian Activist Nahid Taghavi Released After Four Years in Prison
Nahid Taghavi's release marks a significant moment for human rights activists and her family.
German-Iranian woman Nahid Taghavi has been freed from her imprisonment in Iran, bringing immense relief to her family and human rights advocates. Her daughter, Mariam Claren, announced the news on social media, saying, “It's over. Nahid is free! After more than four years as a political prisoner in the Islamic Republic of Iran, my mother... has been freed and is back in Germany.”
At 70, Taghavi was arrested in October 2020 in Tehran. In August of the following year, she was sentenced to ten years in prison for allegedly forming a group aimed at "disrupting national security" and for "spreading propaganda against the system." Taghavi strongly denied these charges, which Amnesty International noted were related to a social media account advocating for women's rights, criticizing the trial as grossly unfair.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed her joy upon seeing photos of Taghavi embracing her daughter at the airport, stating, "A great moment of joy that Nahid Taghavi can finally embrace her family again." However, the Iranian judiciary remained silent on the matter.
During her time in the notorious Evin prison, Taghavi's health deteriorated significantly due to inadequate medical care, as reported by Amnesty. She faced severe medical issues including herniated discs, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. Notably, she spent seven months in solitary confinement, sleeping on the floor under harsh conditions.
In July 2022, she was granted medical leave for urgent treatment but was returned to Evin four months later. Fellow inmate and Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi revealed that Taghavi's life was in danger as of June 2023 due to severe pain. Despite being allowed medical leave two more times, she remained under strict surveillance, requiring her to wear an electronic ankle tag.
Amnesty International announced Taghavi's flight back to Germany, framing the moment as both joyous and tragic. “Words cannot describe our joy,” her daughter remarked, while lamenting the four lost years and the torment experienced during her mother's incarceration.
Her release comes amid ongoing tensions between Berlin and Tehran following the death of another German-Iranian dual national, which ignited diplomatic controversies. Amidst all this, Amnesty has called on Iran to liberate the many dual nationals and other prisoners of conscience still unlawfully detained.
At 70, Taghavi was arrested in October 2020 in Tehran. In August of the following year, she was sentenced to ten years in prison for allegedly forming a group aimed at "disrupting national security" and for "spreading propaganda against the system." Taghavi strongly denied these charges, which Amnesty International noted were related to a social media account advocating for women's rights, criticizing the trial as grossly unfair.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed her joy upon seeing photos of Taghavi embracing her daughter at the airport, stating, "A great moment of joy that Nahid Taghavi can finally embrace her family again." However, the Iranian judiciary remained silent on the matter.
During her time in the notorious Evin prison, Taghavi's health deteriorated significantly due to inadequate medical care, as reported by Amnesty. She faced severe medical issues including herniated discs, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. Notably, she spent seven months in solitary confinement, sleeping on the floor under harsh conditions.
In July 2022, she was granted medical leave for urgent treatment but was returned to Evin four months later. Fellow inmate and Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi revealed that Taghavi's life was in danger as of June 2023 due to severe pain. Despite being allowed medical leave two more times, she remained under strict surveillance, requiring her to wear an electronic ankle tag.
Amnesty International announced Taghavi's flight back to Germany, framing the moment as both joyous and tragic. “Words cannot describe our joy,” her daughter remarked, while lamenting the four lost years and the torment experienced during her mother's incarceration.
Her release comes amid ongoing tensions between Berlin and Tehran following the death of another German-Iranian dual national, which ignited diplomatic controversies. Amidst all this, Amnesty has called on Iran to liberate the many dual nationals and other prisoners of conscience still unlawfully detained.
