German-Iranian Activist Nahid Taghavi Released After Four Years in Iranian Detention

The 70-year-old rights advocate returns to Germany following years of imprisonment on charges widely criticized as politically motivated.

Nahid Taghavi, a dual German-Iranian citizen and women's rights activist, was detained in Iran in October 2020 and sentenced to over 10 years in prison for alleged security-related offenses.
Her family and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, condemned her arrest and trial as unjust, citing fabricated charges and harsh prison conditions, including solitary confinement and limited medical care.
Taghavi's release comes during ongoing diplomatic consultations between Iran and European powers regarding sanctions and nuclear issues, though the specifics of her release remain unclear.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed Taghavi's return as a 'great moment of joy,' attributing her release to sustained diplomatic efforts.
Her case highlights ongoing concerns over Iran's detention of dual nationals and foreign citizens, often described by critics as a tactic of 'hostage diplomacy' to leverage political concessions.