Navid was accused and convicted of murdering a security guard during the protests in 2018. The Afkari family has been under extreme pressure from the regime ever since. Saeed Afkari, the other brother, says that Vahid is having a very hard time in prison: “In the last meeting with my mother he asked her if she knows what’s the record of solitary confinement in Iran and in the world.”

Elham Afkari, their sister was also arrested in November and is sentenced to five years in prison.

Students Keep the Movement Alive

On Tuesday, January 24, students at Tehran University went on a sitting strike to protest against unfair “morality committee” regulations.

University students have been one of the main arms of the recent protests with their protest acts, performances, and statements. Over 700 students have been arrested since September 2022.

Political Sponsorship

Larissa Joy Waters, member of the Australian Greens, announced her political sponsorship for Mahya Vahedi and Shaghyegh Khademi.

Mahya Vahedi is a children's rights activist and was arrested on January 15, 2023, at her office.

Shaghayegh Khademi (23) was arrested at her home in September 2023 and is now sentenced to 16 years in prison.

Political sponsors are meant to raise international awareness about a person’s destiny. The sponsors need to amplify the voice of the ones under oppression and advocate for their freedom. Over 100 politicians have announced their sponsorship of Iranian political prisoners since the beginning of the uprising.

Voria Ghafouri, professional football player, has been removed from his team. Voria has supported the recent uprising in Iran and has always been standing with the people. Not long ago, he was arrested, supporting the people and criticizing the government and regime officials.