Iranian security forces have detained prominent blogger Donya Hosseini, 37, cutting off all contact with her family since her arrest two weeks ago, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights reports.
On June 16, plainclothes agents raided Hosseini’s apartment in northern Tehran, seizing her electronic devices and handwritten notes before taking her into custody. Hosseini—who writes under the pen name “Donya Azad” and hails from Khuzestan province—managed a single, brief phone call to her relatives that evening, during which she confirmed she was being held at the notorious Evin Prison.
Since that fleeting exchange, Hosseini’s family has heard nothing further. A source close to the family warns that the situation grew more dire following an Israeli missile strike on Evin Prison on Monday, after which all channels of communication with inmates were cut off entirely.
Hosseini is no stranger to Iran’s security apparatus. In August 2023 she was briefly detained; authorities confiscated her smartphone, laptop and several notebooks full of political commentary and personal reflections. At the time, no formal charges were disclosed, and the blogger was released after four days of questioning. Her writings—critical of government censorship and corruption—had drawn praise on social media, but also increased scrutiny from hard-line elements within Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence.
To date, neither officials nor judicial authorities have offered any explanation for Hosseini’s latest arrest. Her legal status remains unknown, and those close to her fear she may be held on “national security” allegations, a catch-all charge frequently invoked to silence dissent. Human rights groups are calling for her immediate release or, at minimum, for transparent due-process proceedings.
“We demand that Donya Hosseini be allowed contact with her family and legal counsel without delay,” said Sima Mirjani, a spokesperson for Hengaw. “Holding her incommunicado violates both Iranian law and international human rights standards.”
Context and Concerns
• Evin Prison, which houses political prisoners, journalists and intellectuals, has long been criticized for harsh conditions, solitary confinement and reports of torture. The recent missile strike has exacerbated health risks, with injuries to both inmates and guards still being assessed.
• Since mid-2022, Tehran has intensified its crackdown on bloggers, activists and cultural figures, citing online “propaganda” and “subversion.” Between January and May 2025 alone, at least 28 digital content creators were detained or interrogated, according to local watchdogs.
• International bodies—including the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Iran—have repeatedly urged Iranian authorities to cease arbitrary arrests and ensure fair trials for all detainees. Hosseini’s case spotlights the precarious state of free expression in Iran. If she remains incommunicado, her physical and mental well-being could be at serious risk. Observers say mounting international pressure—from diplomatic channels, rights coalitions and social-media solidarity campaigns—offers the best chance of ensuring her safety and a return to due process.
