Writer Nina Golestani re-arrested through deception by IRGC Intelligence in Rasht

Hengaw: Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Nina Golestani, a Gilak writer from Rasht, Gilan Province, has been arrested once again by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, who posed as electricity company workers to gain entry into her home. She had previously been detained and sentenced to prison on political charges.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Nina Golestani, a fiction writer from Rasht, was arrested and transferred to Lakan Prison.

Her husband, Javad Sajadi Rad, wrote on Instagram, stating: “IRGC intelligence agents, who first introduced themselves as electricity company workers, stormed our home and, after showing an arrest warrant, detained my wife, Nina Golestani, and searched our house—despite no official summons or notice being recorded in the Sana judicial system.”

He further stated that despite the bail being set, his spouse was transferred to prison. He emphasized that the investigator of Branch Four claimed the set bail amount was ‘insufficient’ and that a ‘re-indictment’ of the defendant was necessary.

Previously, Nina Golestani had been sentenced by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi, to three years, six months, and one day in prison for “assembly and collusion”, along with an additional seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the government.”

The writer was initially arrested on November 11, 2023, while returning home in Rasht. Following her detention, her house was searched, and her mobile phone and laptop were confiscated by security forces.