Maryam Akbari Monfared, political prisoner, after enduring 17 years of prison and without using any leave, was released from prison.
Iran Human Rights Society, Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – Maryam Akbari Monfared, political prisoner, after 17 years of imprisonment without leave, was released from prison. She was arrested in 2009 and in 2010 was sentenced to 15 years of ta’ziri imprisonment on the charge of supporting the Mujahedin-e Khalq.
Why was Maryam Akbari Monfared arrested?
Maryam Akbari Monfared was arrested on the December31, 2009 following the Ashura 2009 protests. In May/June2010, she was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, to 15 years of ta’ziri imprisonment, and she spent her sentence without using any leave.
Family Background and Execution of Family Members
Three brothers and one sister of Maryam Akbari Monfared have previously been executed. Abdolreza and Roghieh Akbari Monfared were executed during the executions of political prisoners in the summer of 1988. This issue has been one of the important aspects of her case and her activities in recent years.
Pursuit of the 1367 Executions Case at the United Nations
Maryam Akbari Monfared, in January/February2017, after the publication of the audio file of Hossein-Ali Montazeri about the 1988 executions, filed a complaint with the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. In this complaint, she demanded accountability regarding the execution of her brother and sister. This United Nations body also recognized these two victims as enforced disappearances and demanded investigations in this regard.
New Conviction in the Final Years of Imprisonment
In early August2023, while about 13 months remained from her 15-year sentence, Maryam Akbari Monfared was sentenced in a new case to 2 years of ta’ziri imprisonment and payment of 150 million rials in cash fine. This case fabrication was carried out against her on the orders of the Ministry of Intelligence.
End of 17 Years of Imprisonment Without Leave
With the release of Maryam Akbari Monfared, one of the longest periods of imprisonment without leave for a political prisoner has come to an end. Her release after 17 years in prison took place in conditions where, throughout this period, she had spent her sentence without using any leave.
About Maryam Akbari Monfared
Maryam Akbari Monfared was arrested on the December31, 2009 following the Ashura 2009 protests and in May/June2010 was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, to 15 years of ta’ziri imprisonment. The charge against this prisoner was “moharebeh through membership in the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization of Iran,” but she herself denied this charge.
Ultimately, while spending the thirteenth year of her sentence, on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, Ms. Akbari Monfared was transferred from Evin Prison to Semnan Prison. In late July2023, a new case was opened against Ms. Akbari Monfared during her imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” by the Ministry of Intelligence.
Three brothers and one sister of Maryam Akbari Monfared have been executed in this regime. Abdolreza and Roghieh were executed in the wave of executions of political prisoners in the summer of 1988.
In early August2023, political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared was sentenced to 2 years of ta’ziri imprisonment and 150 million rials in fine. This was while only 13 months remained from her 15-year sentence.
This case fabrication, which led to the verdict, was formed against Ms. Akbari on the orders of the Ministry of Intelligence.
New Case Fabrication Against Maryam Akbari Monfared in Prison
Maryam Akbari Monfared has faced 2 new case fabrications. One of these cases was formed against her during her imprisonment in Evin Prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”
The other case fabrication was formed against her during her imprisonment in Semnan Prison. The charges against her in this case fabrication were “insulting the Leader,” “propaganda against the regime,” “assembly and collusion,” “spreading lies and disturbing public opinion,” and “inciting people against internal and external security.” The instances of these charges are letters, supports, reports, and news that have been published about her in virtual space.
According to this report, one of the charges of “spreading lies and disturbing public opinion,” due to the lack of jurisdiction of the Revolutionary Court, was sent to Public Court 101 of the Criminal Court of Semnan, presided over by Masoud Khorshi. The court hearing for this charge was held on August7, 2023.
Maryam Akbari Monfared, considering this court invalid, did not participate in it. The court also issued a verdict against her in absentia.
In July2023, political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared was summoned to Evin Prosecutor’s Office and after being informed of 5 new charges, was returned to Semnan Prison. Maryam Akbari Monfared was charged in this case with “propaganda against the regime, assembly and collusion, spreading lies, insulting the Leader, and inciting people to disrupt public order in the country.” Ms. Akbari faced a case with the charge of propaganda against the regime in May/June 2023.
Opening of a New Case to Take Revenge on Maryam Akbari Monfared
In early July 2024, political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared faced the opening of a new case. This case is intended to seize her and her family’s properties. According to Shargh News Agency, the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order Headquarters, through a complaint, has demanded the seizure of the properties of political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared.
This complaint has been issued while the 15-year imprisonment period of political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared will end in December 2024 / January 2025.
Mr. Hossein Taj, the defense lawyer of political prisoner Maryam Akbari Monfared, said in this regard: “In September/October of this year, the 15 years of imprisonment of Ms. Akbari Monfared in the first case will end. During this period, she has not been sent on even one day of leave. Ms. Akbari Monfared has also been sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment for another case. Recently, a new case has also been formed against her, the basis of which is the request of the Staff for Follow-up and Supervision of Cases Subject to Principle 49 of the Constitution.”
Complaint by the Plundering Staff for Confiscation of Properties
He continued in the conversation by referring to the false complaint of this plundering staff and said: “In the claim raised by this staff, things have been attributed to Ms. Akbari Monfared’s family and her relatives. And this staff has requested the seizure and ownership of the properties of the Akbari Monfared family and her relatives in favor of the ‘Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order Headquarters.’ This case has been referred to Branch 6 of the Revolutionary Court; this branch is dedicated to handling cases related to Principle 49 of the Constitution. The time for hearing this case has not yet been determined, and only a supervision appointment has been set for August.”
In August 2023, in another case fabrication, she was sentenced to 2 years of ta’ziri imprisonment and 150 million rials in fine.
See also the below articles:
- UNICEF Warns Against Using Children in Iran’s Military Checkpoints and War Activities
- Execution of Ali Fahim in a Highly Ambiguous Case; Contradictory Narratives of the Basij Base Arson
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