Athena Farghadani, Painter, Cartoonist, and Former Political Prisoner Arrested

Mohammad Ghaemi, a lawyer, tweeted: "Today, June 7, my client Athena Farghadani, a painter, cartoonist, and former political prisoner, was summoned to Evin Prosecutor's Office and arrested." No news has been released regarding the reason for the artist's arrest. Ms. Farghadani was released from prison in summer 2016 due to the efforts of the "International Network for the Support of Cartoonists' Rights." After her release, she told the Washington Post that she would not leave Iran and intended to stay and continue her work because her efforts have the most impact in Iran. Athena Farghadani is an artist who graduated in painting from Alzahra University, but her continuation of studies at the master's level was prevented due to her critical drawings. She was arrested in September 2014 and sentenced to 12 years and 9 months in prison, which was reduced to 18 months in the appeals court. Her charge at that time was "insulting the leadership." The organization "Justice for Iran" reported in October 2015 that forced virginity tests were conducted on Athena Farghadani in August 2015. This action faced protests from her lawyer and Amnesty International. Since September 2021, following the nationwide protests after the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police, the arrests of artists, journalists, and political activists have intensified. Athena Farghadani, a cartoonist and children's rights activist, was released after two years. Her lawyer says her client will be released soon. Athena Farghadani stated in an interview with the Washington Post: "I intend to stay in Iran and work." Two days after her release, Athena Farghadani won the "Václav Havel Human Rights Prize."