Iran releases prize-winning rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh

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TEHRAN: Prominent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was released on bail Wednesday, according to a statement from her daughter, Mehraveh Khandan.

Sotoudeh had been in custody since April 1, when she was arrested at her home amid what activists describe as a broad crackdown on civil society during Iran’s ongoing war with Israel and the United States.

Sotoudeh is a globally recognized advocate who has received prestigious honors, including the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize in 2012 and the Right Livelihood Award in 2020.

 Her daughter confirmed the temporary release on social media, though the specific charges Sotoudeh may still face remain unclear.

The lawyer's release follows a similar move on Sunday for fellow activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, who was granted bail for urgent medical treatment. 

These developments occur against a backdrop of intense domestic pressure; rights groups report that thousands have been detained and many killed during a suppression of protests that began earlier this year.

Throughout her career, Sotoudeh has focused on the most sensitive issues within the Islamic republic, notably campaigning against the execution of youths. 

Her work has also gained international visibility through cinema, including a cameo in the film ‘Taxi Tehran’ and being the subject of the 2020 documentary ‘Nasrin.’

While Sotoudeh has been released, her family remains directly impacted by the judicial crackdown. Her husband, Reza Khandan, has been held in prison since December 2024. 

Activists continue to monitor the situation as the Iranian government maintains its strict stance toward dissent during the current regional conflict.

Photo credits: AFP