In a significant development, Nahid Taghavi, a German-Iranian woman imprisoned in Iran, has been released, as confirmed by her daughter. “It’s over. Nahid is free! After more than four years as a political prisoner in Iran, my mother has returned to Germany,” stated Mariam Claren.
At age 70, Taghavi was arrested in Tehran in October 2020 and subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison in August 2021 for allegedly forming a group that aimed to disrupt national security and propagandize against the government.
Human rights organization Amnesty International labeled the charges against her as baseless, asserting that they stemmed from her social media activism focused on women’s rights, and characterized the trial as grossly unfair.
Following a touching reunion captured in a photograph at an airport, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock commented, “A great moment of joy that Nahid Taghavi can finally embrace her family again.”
The Iranian judiciary has not released any comments regarding her release.
During her imprisonment at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, Taghavi’s health reportedly deteriorated significantly. Amnesty International criticized the conditions at Evin as “cruel and inhuman,” highlighting the inadequate medical care provided to inmates.
Taghavi endured seven months of solitary confinement where she was subjected to harsh conditions, including sleeping on the floor. Her daughter also disclosed that Taghavi suffered from several health issues, including herniated discs, osteoporosis, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
In July 2022, Taghavi was granted urgent medical leave for treatment, but returned to prison four months later. A fellow inmate, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, had warned that Taghavi’s life was at risk due to her severe pain.
Taghavi received medical leave two additional times during 2024, but each time she returned to prison before completing treatment. She was monitored with an electronic ankle tag, restricting her movement to within 1km of her home.
Amnesty confirmed that Taghavi flew back to Germany on Sunday, with her daughter expressing immense joy over the reunion. “At the same time, we mourn the four years that were stolen from us and the horror she had to endure in Evin prison,” she reflected.
Amnesty International has called on Iranian authorities to release the many other dual nationals and non-violent political prisoners currently being held arbitrarily.
This release follows recent tensions between Berlin and Tehran, exacerbated by the death of another imprisoned dual national, which led to the closure of Iranian consulates in Germany as diplomatic relations soured.
Calls for transparency continue as the Iranian judiciary’s spokesman stated that the imprisoned dissident had died before his death sentence could be enacted, a claim that has been met with skepticism by the affected families.
