Yalda Moaiery sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in absentia under amendments to the Espionage Law
On 8 August 2026, Yalda Moaiery was informed that she had been sentenced in absentia by Branch 29 of Tehran Revolutionary Court to 15 years in prison on the charge of “activities in furtherance of the interests of the Zionist regime against national security.''
Yalda Moaiery is an Iranian woman human rights defender and photojournalist who has covered armed conflicts and humanitarian crises over the past two decades in Iran, its neighbouring countries, and beyond. She has documented the enforcement of the mandatory hijab in Iran, women working as security police, and the establishment of the morality police. In December 2017, she captured an image of a student protesting economic conditions at the University of Tehran, which became an iconic symbol of Iranian protests, gaining international attention.
Subsequently, Moaiery was sentenced to two years in Qarchak prison. After her release, she embarked on a project to document the stories of women prisoners. Yalda Moaiery’s work has been widely published in international outlets, she was awarded the 2023 Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award.
On 8 August 2026, Yalda Moaiery was informed that she had been sentenced in absentia by Branch 29 of Tehran Revolutionary Court to 15 years in prison on the charge of “activities in furtherance of the interests of the Zionist regime against national security.”
Yalda Moaiery is an Iranian woman human rights defender and photojournalist who has covered armed conflicts and humanitarian crises over the past two decades in Iran, its neighbouring countries, and beyond. She has documented the enforcement of the mandatory hijab in Iran, women working as security police, and the establishment of the morality police. In December 2017, she captured an image of a student protesting economic conditions at the University of Tehran, which became an iconic symbol of Iranian protests, gaining international attention. Subsequently, Moaiery was sentenced to two years in Qarchak prison. After her release, she embarked on a project to document the stories of women prisoners. Yalda Moaiery’s work has been widely published in international outlets, she was awarded the 2023 Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award
On 8 August 2026, Yalda Moaiery was informed that she has been sentenced in absentia by Branch 29 of Tehran Revolutionary Court to 15 years imprisonment on the charge of “activities in furtherance of the interests of the Zionist regime against national security.” The Court imposed further punishments including a permanent ban from civil service, and any political and media activities, a prohibition on engaging in economic activity and possessing a checkbook, driving a motor vehicle, and the confiscation of her camera and other seized electronic devices. On 1 April and 3 March 2026, the house of the woman human rights defender was raided and her camera and other electronic devices were confiscated.
Describing the rationale of the charge of “activities in furtherance of the interests of the Zionist regime against national security,” the Branch 29 of Tehran Revolutionary Court, has reportedly stated “given no defense resolution received, and based on previous and current activities (via photographing and sending them to hostile media), her intention to act against the nation is established by misrepresenting its greatness gravely dark [in media] and in favour of the ominous interest of Israel and the United States.” Previously, in autumn 2022, Yalda Moaiery spent three months in jail for covering protests surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini.
Yalda Moaiery was convicted under Article 4 of the Law on Intensifying the Punishment for Espionage of the Islamic Penal Code. On 23 June 2025, the Iranian parliament introduced, nine amendments aimed at intensifying punishments for espionage charges. Article 4 states that propaganda activities deemed hostile or undermining of Iran’s national security may be punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment (amendment 4) or death (amendment 1).
These amendments have previously been used against other human rights defenders, creating severe challenges for the continuation of their human rights work. Such laws could further criminalise their actions, facilitate arbitrary detention, and significantly impair judicial discretion. The June 2025 amendments raise serious concerns, as Amendment 1 infringes the right to life, while Amendment 4 imposes considerable restrictions on the work of human rights defenders, journalists, and others documenting human rights violations, exposing them to a higher risk of prosecution.
Front Line Defenders believes that the conviction and sentencing of Yalda Moaiery are directly linked to her legitimate and peaceful human rights activities, including her work as a photojournalist documenting the social context of people affected by armed conflict, as well as her media activities.
Front Line Defenders is concerned by the ongoing targeting of human rights defenders documenting the armed conflict in Iran and the intensified judicial measures used to silence them.
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Iran to:
- Quash the convictions and sentences imposed on Yalda Moaiery;
- End all forms of judicial harassment against Yalda Moaiery and and ensure that she can carry out her legitimate human rights activities without restrictions or fear of reprisals;
- Restore her right to work as a photojournalist and revoke all supplementary punishments imposed against her;
- Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Iran are able to carry out their legitimate work without fear of retaliation and free of all restrictions.
