The municipality of Villiers-Adam in France displayed a large poster of Maryam Akbari Monfared, one of Iran’s longest-held female political prisoners, on its city hall facade from November 9, 2024, for two weeks. The poster, titled “Courage in the Face of Injustice,” aims to spotlight her enduring fight for justice.
Beneath the image, a caption highlighted her plight: “After 15 years in prison, Maryam Akbari Monfared’s suffering continues as she seeks justice for her relatives executed by the Iranian regime.”
The poster also underscored Iran’s alarming record of executions in 2024, stating, “678 executions in Iran this year—support political prisoners.”
Escalating Harassment in Detention
Despite completing her initial 15-year sentence, Maryam has faced relentless persecution. Recently, she was transferred from Semnan Prison to Qarchak Prison in Varamin, a notorious facility, in a move widely viewed as an escalation of her mistreatment. The regime’s judiciary has extended her imprisonment by two years through fabricated charges, ensuring her continued detention beyond her original sentence.
Maryam Akbari Monfared was arrested during the 2009 protests and was due for release in 2019 after serving her 10-year sentence. However, the regime extended her imprisonment by five additional years and later tacked on another two years with trumped-up charges.
Charges and Retaliatory Actions
The additional charges against Maryam, orchestrated by the Ministry of Intelligence, include accusations of “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the leadership,” “spreading falsehoods,” and “inciting public unrest.” These charges have been cited in both the Semnan and Evin show trials.
As noted by former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Professor Javaid Rehman, Maryam’s primary “offense” is her pursuit of justice for her family members executed by the Iranian regime.
Family Tragedy and the Pursuit of Justice
Maryam’s determination stems from the loss of her loved ones. Her brother, Alireza Akbari, was tortured to death in September 1981. Another brother, Gholamreza Akbari, was executed in 1985. Her siblings, Roqiyeh and Abdolreza Akbari, were among the victims of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners.
In retaliation for her calls for accountability, the regime went as far as issuing an order in July 2024 to confiscate her family’s assets, a punitive measure targeting her and her relatives.
Maryam Akbari Monfared’s story represents both the Iranian regime’s brutality and the resilience of those who stand against injustice. The initiative by Villiers-Adam serves as a powerful reminder of the global support for political prisoners in Iran and the urgent need to hold the regime accountable for its human rights violations.
