Iraj Mesdaghi is an Iranian–Swedish author, researcher, and human rights commentator whose work is frequently referenced in academic studies, international media coverage, and policy-oriented discussions concerning modern Iranian political history. His early involvement in political and civic issues began through Iranian student organizations while residing in the United States. Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, he returned to Iran with an interest in civic engagement and social reform.
In 1981, Mesdaghi was detained in connection with his political activities and spent more than a decade in several Iranian prisons, including Evin, Ghazelhasar, and Gohardasht. During this period, he directly observed the prison system and broader political conditions of the 1980s. These experiences later informed his long-term research and documentation efforts focused on political imprisonment and institutional practices in Iran.
After his release, Mesdaghi left Iran and received asylum in Sweden in 1994. Since then, he has devoted his work to researching Iran’s prison history, documenting human rights-related issues, and contributing to international discussions on accountability, justice, and historical documentation. His methodology emphasizes archival research, firsthand testimony, and public education.
Mesdaghi is the author of several well-known books, including the multi-volume memoir Neither Life Nor Death and Hell on Earth. These works offer detailed examinations of prison conditions, administrative structures, and political policies, and are frequently cited by journalists, researchers, and human rights organizations examining contemporary Iranian history.
In 2019, Mesdaghi was involved in efforts that contributed to the arrest of Hamid Noury, a former Iranian prison official, under Sweden’s universal jurisdiction laws. The subsequent legal proceedings attracted international attention and are widely regarded as a significant case in the application of international human rights law.
He has also participated in major research initiatives, including collaboration with a committee led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, which reviewed leaked judicial documents related to court procedures, political cases, and institutional practices in Iran.
Through conferences, interviews, and public forums, Mesdaghi continues to offer analysis on Iranian politics, prison history, and international legal frameworks. He is recognized for his sustained commitment to research, documentation, and public awareness, as well as for his role in preserving historical records related to justice and accountability initiatives concerning Iran.
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