We are very happy to confirm that Atena Daemi was released on bail Monday February 15, 2016, from Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison. The Voice Project has been advocating for Atena’s release as part of the Imprisoned For Art advocacy initiative following her sentencing last May which was based on evidence that included the presence of protest songs on her phone. Atena Daemi, most well-known for her activism in support of children affected by the Syrian Civil War, and still faces charges of “propaganda against the state,” “acting against national security,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader,” although it is now unclear what action will be taken against her by the state, so we will continue to monitor the situation.

Atena Daemi, pictured here prior to her detention, has been released on bail in Iran (International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran.)

Throughout her sentence Daemi’s lawyer urged the court to release her on bail, as she had raised frequent, unaddressed complaints of severe headaches and mental health issues while in Tehran’s infamous prison for prisoners of conscience.

In a 15-minute trial on May 17, 2015, evidence presented by the prosecution included Daemi’s posts to social media and the presence of the protest songs of rapper Shahin Najaf on her phone. Najaf, who has fled Iran for asylum in Germany, is famous for music that details the struggles of Iranians. The most frequent topics addressed by Najaf’s lyrics are poverty and drug addiction.

Additional evidence raised against Daemi cited her history of activist work. Daemi’s most prolific work has been in support of the children of the Syrian town of Kobanî (Ayn al-Arab) which lies along the Turkish border and has been devastated in the Syrian Civil War, while she has also protested against the death penalty and Iran’s policy of forced hijab for women.

Since December, three poets have also been released from custody in Iran, two in a prisoner exchange with the United States, and one who faced unclear charges.