Atena Farghadani Freed From Evin Prison

She also pointed out that although she’s happy to be free, she is also concerned about all of the unknown prisoners who have no supporters.

Ms. Farghadani was first arrested in August, 2014, after posting a cartoon on Facebook in protest of the Iranian Parliament’s plans to restrict women’s reproductive rights.  Upon her release three months later, Ms. Farghadani posted a YouTube video documenting her brutal treatment in jail.

Following the YouTube video, Ms. Farghadani was re-arrested in January, 2015 — and five months later handed a 12 year, nine month prison sentence for counter-revolutionary activity, undermining national security, insulting the Supreme Leader, the Iranian president, Members of Parliament and jail officials, and for spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic.

Last month a successful appeal by lawyer Mohammad Moghimi saw Ms. Farghadani’s prison sentence reduced to 18 months.  Ms. Farghadani was acquitted of counter-revolutionary activity and undermining national security, and her sentence for insulting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was suspended for three years.  Her sentence for insulting the president and other individuals was converted into a monetary fine.

Atena told CRNI that she wants to stay in Iran and continue working as an artist.

Her lawyer, Mohammad Moghimi, also told CRNI that he’s very happy for the release of his client and as a human rights lawyer, he will continue defending activists and individuals whose human rights has been violated.

Everybody at Cartoonist Rights Network International is elated at the news that Atena has been at last freed.  From the beginning her incarceration and the insults and indignities she has been subjected to have been illegal and unwarranted.  Personally, I suspect she will rise above the trauma and continue to present her opinions as freely and independently as ever.