Iranian-German political prisoner released, returns to Germany
German-Iranian political prisoner Nahid Taghavi, 70, has been freed from Tehran’s Evin prison and returned to Germany, her daughter announced on Monday.
German-Iranian political prisoner Nahid Taghavi, 70, has been freed from Tehran’s Evin prison and returned to Germany, her daughter announced on Monday.
“It’s over. Nahid is free! After more than 4 years as a political prisoner in the Islamic Republic of Iran, my mother Nahid Taghavi was freed and is back in Germany,” her daughter Mariam Claren wrote on X.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed joy over Taghavi's release, calling it "a great moment of joy that Nahid Taghavi can finally embrace her family again" in a post on X.
A spokesperson from Germany's Federal Foreign Office told Iran International that the "government has worked hard to secure Mrs Taghavi's overdue release."
"It is good news that the incarceration of Mrs Taghavi has been ended and that she was reunited with her family. Mrs Taghavi and her family have endured unbearable hardship," the spokesperson added.
Taghavi was arrested in Tehran in October 2020 and, as detailed by her daughter, endured psychological torture during her detention. She was confined to solitary confinement in the notorious Ward 2-A of the Revolutionary Guards at Evin Prison for 220 days.
She was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison on charges of being an “accomplice in running illegal groups and propaganda against the regime,” according to rights groups.
Amnesty International said Taghavi was released last year on January 9 under house arrest, wearing an ankle tag and restricted to a 1,000-meter radius, returning to prison after 50 days on 28 February. In September, Taghavi was temporarily released again under the same conditions before her final release this week.
