Iranian Activist Imprisoned | Women’s Rights
- Reza Khandan, an Iranian activist and husband of human rights attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh, is again behind bars for his activism.
- Sotoudeh herself has spent over six years in Iranian prisons for her human rights work.
- Khandan explained his motivation for risking imprisonment: "I have a duty and the privilege to defend my rights and the rights of others.
Reza Khandan, an Iranian activist, is once again imprisoned, this time for championing women’s rights. This powerful story details his arrest in December 2024, his unwavering dedication to justice, and the harsh realities inside Evin Prison. Khandan’s commitment to fighting for equal rights, even in the face of severe repression, is a testament to the Iranian people’s spirit.Discover the conditions he faces with exclusive quotes and analysis, shedding light on both his struggle and his motivation to speak out against the government. news Directory 3 brings you this vital report. learn about his wife, Nasrin Sotoudeh, a human rights attorney. What further challenges await this brave activist? Discover what’s next …
Iranian activist Reza Khandan Imprisoned for Women’s Rights Advocacy
Updated June 02, 2025
Reza Khandan, an Iranian activist and husband of human rights attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh, is again behind bars for his activism. He was arrested in December 2024 for supporting women’s rights and creating buttons opposing the mandatory hijab. This is not Khandan’s first brush with the Iranian regime; he previously served 111 days in prison in 2018 for similar activism before being released on bail.
Sotoudeh herself has spent over six years in Iranian prisons for her human rights work. During her imprisonment, Khandan raised their two children while running his graphic design business and campaigning for his wife’s freedom.Sotoudeh is currently on medical furlough,recovering from a heart condition exacerbated by COVID-19 and mistreatment in prison. Now, Khandan is facing at least three more years in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.
Khandan explained his motivation for risking imprisonment: “I have a duty and the privilege to defend my rights and the rights of others. Without that, there is a dark future for us and our children.” He acknowledged the risks involved in criticizing the Iranian government, stating, “In a country like Iran, with this government, every protest and criticism carries a risk, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take.”
He also emphasized his strong support for women’s rights, stating, “No country can achieve democracy, and development with justice and human dignity, without guaranteeing equal rights for women and men. A society that ignores the rights of half of its population will never achieve real greatness.”
Describing his December 2024 arrest, Khandan said he was apprehended while returning home from the store. Authorities falsely claimed his car was involved in a crime. “It quickly became clear that all of their words were lies,and their real intent was to arrest me for my judicial case,” Khandan said. He was not even allowed to say goodbye to his son before being taken away.
Khandan recounted the harsh conditions of his initial detention. “I slept in the detention centre that night. it was extremely cold.They intentionally turned off the radiator, and there was no other heating device,” he said. Detainees were denied food, water, and beds, forced to share dirty blankets. He was later transferred to Evin Prison after spending nine days in quarantine without outside contact.
Food in Iranian prisons is rarely edible, so we have to purchase whatever ingredients we can and prepare our own meals.
Reza Khandan
Life inside Evin Prison involves cleaning, personal chores, and purchasing supplies to prepare his own meals, as prison food is often inedible. Khandan is part of a group of inmates who cook and eat together, sharing a gas burner three times a week. He also tries to read and exercise when possible.
evin Prison, according to Khandan, houses approximately 15,000 inmates and is infamous for its cruel high-security detention centers. These centers, controlled by various government security bodies, operate outside the law. Inmates face beatings, denial of medical care, solitary confinement, forced confessions, and psychological, physical, and sexual torture.
What’s next
khandan remains in Ward 8 of Evin Prison, where he faces constant monitoring and restricted dialog. Despite the challenges, he continues to advocate for human rights and women’s rights from within the prison walls.