Iran Sentences Two Female Photographers to 24 Years Combined
Iranian officials have imposed a combined prison term of 24 years on two female photographers. Shaghayegh Afshar Najafi, an 18-year-old from Qazvin, was handed a nine-year sentence after her arrest on February 14 for "assembly and collusion against national security" due to her submission of photos to Iran International; five years of her sentence are currently enforceable. Yalda Moaiery, a prominent photojournalist, received a 15-year sentence following a raid on her home by security forces after her images of the protests on January 8 and 9 were published in Le Monde. She learned of her sentence on August 8 for actions "against national security." Earlier, in January 2023, Moaiery had also been sentenced. Additionally, photographer Tahmineh Monzavi faced 74 lashes for capturing a portrait of a singer.
Key facts
- Shaghayegh Afshar Najafi, 18, sentenced to 9 years in prison
- Yalda Moaiery, photojournalist, sentenced to 15 years in prison
- Combined sentence: 24 years
- Afshar Najafi arrested on February 14, transferred to Choubindar Prison on February 15
- Charges: 'assembly and collusion against national security'
- Moaiery's photos from January 8-9 protests published in Le Monde
- Moaiery's camera and devices confiscated in March and April
- Moaiery sentenced on August 8, banned from media activities
- Moaiery previously sentenced in January 2023 to unpaid public service as street cleaner
- Tahmineh Monzavi sentenced to 74 lashes for portrait of singer
Entities
Artists
- Shaghayegh Afshar Najafi
- Yalda Moaiery
- Tahmineh Monzavi
Institutions
- Iran International
- Hengaw Organization for Human Rights
- Iran Wire
- Le Monde
- Association of Photojournalists
Locations
- Iran
- Qazvin
- Choubindar Prison