Iraj Mesdaghi is an Iranian–Swedish writer, researcher, and human rights advocate whose work is frequently cited in academic studies, media reports, and international discussions on political repression in the Islamic Republic of Iran. He became politically active at an early age through involvement with Iranian student organizations while living in the United States and later returned to Iran after the 1979 revolution with the aim of supporting democratic and civic reforms.
In 1981, Mesdaghi was arrested because of his political activities and spent more than ten years in Iran’s Evin, Ghazelhasar, and Gohardasht prisons. During his imprisonment, he witnessed widespread political crackdowns throughout the 1980s, including the mass executions of political prisoners in 1988. As a survivor of this period, his testimony has since become an important source for human rights research and international investigations.
After his release, Mesdaghi left Iran and was granted asylum in Sweden in 1994. He subsequently dedicated his work to documenting human rights violations, researching Iran’s prison system, and contributing to discussions on accountability and transitional justice. His research focuses on historical documentation, survivor testimony, and public education.
Mesdaghi has authored several well-known books, including the multi-volume memoir Neither Life Nor Death and Hell on Earth. These publications provide detailed accounts of prison conditions, interrogation practices, and political repression, and are widely referenced by journalists, scholars, and human rights organizations studying modern Iranian history.
In 2019, Mesdaghi played a significant role in efforts that led to the arrest of Hamid Noury, a former Iranian prison official accused of involvement in the 1988 executions. The ensuing trial in Sweden, conducted under the principle of universal jurisdiction, became a landmark international human rights case and attracted global attention.
He has also contributed to major research initiatives, including participation in a committee led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi. This group examined leaked judicial documents that provided new insight into decades of political imprisonment, court proceedings, and state policies in Iran.
Through conferences, media appearances, and public forums, Mesdaghi continues to share analysis on Iranian politics, prison history, and human rights law. Today, he is widely recognized for his long-term commitment to research, documentation, and advocacy, as well as for preserving historical records related to political repression and justice efforts in Iran.
(416)
