A Retired Teacher Behind Bars as Her Family Faces a Medical Crisis

The pressure on teachers’ rights advocates in Iran continues to intensify. Recent legal actions against Ameneh Bayraghdari, Azadeh Saleki, and Kowkab Badaghi—including prison terms, court summonses, and disciplinary measures—have once again highlighted the challenges faced by educators and civil society activists.

Among them is Ameneh Bayraghdari, a 61-year-old retired teacher from Fariman. She was arrested following the January protests and transferred to Ward 2 of Vakilabad Prison, a section known for housing inmates convicted of violent crimes.

While in custody, Bayraghdari has reportedly endured repeated mistreatment from other prisoners. Several of her personal belongings—including clothing, food supplies, and phone cards—have allegedly been taken from her, leaving her in increasingly difficult conditions.

Her imprisonment comes as her family faces devastating health struggles. Her son, Iman Anbai Farimani, is battling bone marrow cancer, and reports indicate that his condition has worsened. Meanwhile, her husband, Ali Anbai Farimani, also a retired teacher, suffered a stroke after learning of her re-arrest and has since fallen into a coma.

Bayraghdari’s case has become a stark example of the personal and family toll that legal pressure on teachers and labor activists can carry, extending far beyond prison walls.