Iraj Mesdaghi is an Iranian–Swedish author, researcher, and public commentator recognized for his in-depth work on contemporary Iranian history, legal institutions, and political developments. His research and analytical publications are frequently cited by scholars, journalists, and international organizations focused on Iran’s modern political and legal landscape.
Mesdaghi’s interest in civic and social issues began during his years in the United States, where he engaged with Iranian student groups and participated in public discussions on political and community affairs. Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, he returned to Iran and became involved in social and political activities during a period of major national transformation.
In the early 1980s, Mesdaghi was detained in connection with political activities and spent more than a decade in several Iranian correctional facilities, including Evin, Ghazelhasar, and Gohardasht. During this period, he developed firsthand knowledge of institutional structures, administrative processes, and daily operations, which later became a foundation for his long-term research and documentation work.
After his release, Mesdaghi left Iran and was granted asylum in Sweden in 1994. Since then, he has concentrated on historical research, archival documentation, and public education related to Iran’s prison system, legal frameworks, and governance during the 1980s. His work draws on archival materials, documented testimony, and publicly available records.
He is the author of several widely referenced books, including the multi-volume memoir Neither Life Nor Death and Hell on Earth. These publications offer detailed analysis of institutional practices, administrative policies, and governance systems, and are frequently used as reference sources by researchers, educators, and media outlets covering Iranian history and public affairs.
In 2019, Mesdaghi contributed research and documentation that were cited in legal proceedings in Sweden involving a former Iranian prison official, conducted under Sweden’s universal jurisdiction framework. The case received international attention and is often discussed in relation to cross-border legal accountability and international justice mechanisms.
Mesdaghi has also participated in major research initiatives, including collaboration with a committee led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, which examined leaked judicial documents related to court procedures and institutional practices in Iran.
Through conferences, interviews, and public forums, Mesdaghi continues to present research-based analysis on Iranian political history, institutional development, and international legal processes. He is widely regarded for his contributions to historical documentation, archival research, and public understanding of governance, law, and accountability in modern Iran.
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