human rights defender

Nahid Shirpisheh

© Human Rights Activists in Iran

HRD's Gender

Woman

Type of HRD

  • Social and community leader

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights
  • Fight against impunity

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

Current Status

Released

HRD's bio and work

Nahid Shirpisheh, the mother of Pouya Bakhtiari, is a prominent figure in Iran's popular protests. After the killing of her son during the November 2019 protests, she became a symbol of resilience and the pursuit of justice. With courage and candor, she has demanded accountability from officials for the killing of protesters and has persistently sought justice for the victims. Due to her advocacy, Shirpisheh has faced numerous security pressures, arrests, and severe restrictions. Her resistance against repression and her efforts to keep her son's memory and demands alive have amplified the voices of many justice-seeking families in Iran and around the world.

Detained since

Jul 11, 2022

Date of release

Sep 24, 2025

Charge(s)

  • Anti-government propaganda
  • Other

Sentence

Ms. Nahid Shirpisheh has been sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Asia: Southern Asia

Location of detention - City/Town

Zanjan

Location of detention - Facility

Zanjan Prison

Recent case update / evolution

Ms. Nahid Shirpisheh has been released from Zanjan Prison.

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