Mehraveh Khandan (Persian: مهراوه خندان; born c. 2000) is an Iranian fine arts student and human rights advocate. She is known for her public support of her parents, who are civil rights activists Nasrin Sotoudeh and Reza Khandan, during a time of strict government control in Iran.
Early life
Mehraveh Khandan was born around 2000, the daughter of two human rights defenders, Nasrin Sotoudeh and Reza Khandan. She has a younger brother, Nima.[1][2] At the age of 12 and again at 17, she was banned from leaving the country.[3][4]
Activism
Mehraveh was arrested at her home in Tehran on 17 August 2020 aged 20, charged with "insult and assault". A team of five Intelligence Ministry and judiciary agents arrived in three cars at the family home, raided the house when she was home with her father Reza Khandan, and arrested Mehraveh. According to Reza, the charges relate to a verbal argument with a female prison guard a year earlier, when visiting her mother, Nasrin Sotoudeh, in Evin Prison. The guard had apparently felt insulted and lodged a complaint against Mehraveh.[3][5] Reza said that her arrest was meant as a means of pressure on her family;[3][4] it took place a few days after her mother had announced her hunger strike in demand for release of political prisoners.[3][4]
The Twelve-Day War between Iran and Israel broke out in June 2025, while her father was serving a 4-year and 1-month sentence in Evin Prison, located in District 3 in Tehran. This area became known worldwide after Israel and president Trump called for evacuation of the area, as it was to be targeted by bombing.[6][7][8] Mehraveh, in an attempt to help her imprisoned father, posted an Instagram video that went viral, asking for international help to release him.[6] She felt this was the only way to reach out for help[6][9][10] and was quoted as saying: "The Islamic Republic regime has shown in times of crisis, it only resorts to increasing internal repression, but I hope this time they react to international pressure differently".[6]
Personal life
References
- ↑ Sahimi, Muhammad; Geist, Dan (13 April 2011), "Nasrin Sotoudeh, Sentenced to 11 Years, Wins PEN Freedom to Write Award", Tehran Bureau,
They were married in 1994 and have an 11-year-old daughter, Mehraveh, and a three-year-old son, Nima.
- ↑ "Human rights activist Nasrin Sotudeh hugs her daughter Mehraveh (R) as her husband Reza Khandan and her son Nima look on at their house in Tehran, Iran, on September 18, 2013". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 jasmin (18 August 2020). "Nasrin Sotoudeh's Daughter Detained, Persecution of Imprisoned Lawyer's Family Intensifies". Center for Human Rights in Iran. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Escalation of Pressure on Families: Jailed Human Rights Lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh's Daughter Arrested". iranhr.net. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ↑ Naz, Darya (17 August 2020). "Mehraveh Khandan, Daughter Of Nasrin Sotoudeh Was Arrested Under Tactical threat". International Centre for Human Rights. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Kuepper, Miriam (19 June 2025). "Daughter of human rights lawyer held in Iranian prison in area targeted by Israeli missiles begs for his release". Sky News. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ↑ Adler, Nils. "Trump warns Tehran residents to 'evacuate immediately'. But can they?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ↑ "Israel Calls For Evacuation of an Entire Tehran Neighborhood". WSJ. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ↑ "'How can he be evacuated?': Emotional video of jailed Iranian activist's daughter goes viral amid mass panic in Tehran; watch". Indiatimes. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
- ↑ "'How Will My Dad Survive?': Daughter of Jailed Activist Breaks Down as Iranians Evacuate Tehran Amid Israeli Strikes". thelogicalindian.com. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 19 June 2025.