• Germany's Foreign Minister welcomes Nahid Taghavi's release from Iranian prison.
• Taghavi spent over four years detained on charges related to women's rights activism.
• Her daughter expressed immense joy at the reunion after more than 1,500 days apart.
• Amnesty International has campaigned tirelessly for Taghavi's release.
• Taghavi's health declined significantly during her incarceration at Evin prison.

In a significant development, Nahid Taghavi, a 70-year-old German-Iranian rights activist, has been released from an Iranian prison after enduring more than four years of detention. Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed her joy on the social media platform X, stating, “It’s a great moment of joy that Nahid Taghavi can finally embrace her family again,” as she acknowledged Taghavi’s return to Germany, which occurred on Sunday.

Taghavi's daughter, Mariam Claren, celebrated the momentous occasion by sharing a heartfelt post, exclaiming, “It’s over. Nahid is free!” This announcement prompted widespread relief and celebration among supporters who had campaigned for her release.

Arrested in October 2020 during a visit to Tehran, Taghavi was initially sentenced to almost 11 years in prison for her alleged involvement in an “illegal group” and for “propaganda against the state.” These charges were widely criticized as politically motivated, particularly given her advocacy for women’s rights through social media, which Amnesty International condemned as a violation of her rights.

Amnesty International had been a leading voice in the push for Taghavi’s release, stating that accommodations in Evin prison were "cruel and inhuman". Reports indicated that Taghavi's health had severely deteriorated during her imprisonment, marked by inadequate medical care and forced solitary confinement for months. The organization described her circumstances as “arbitrary detention” and highlighted that Taghavi experienced significant health issues, including osteoporosis and high blood pressure.

Upon her release, Taghavi's daughter expressed a mixture of joy and sorrow, reflecting on the “four years that were stolen from us and the horror she had to endure in Evin prison.” Amnesty International continues to advocate for the release of numerous other dual nationals and political prisoners held unjustly in Iran. This event draws attention to the ongoing struggles faced by human rights activists in the region and the international response to political repression.

As the news of Taghavi’s release reverberates, it speaks volumes about the strength of public advocacy and the resilience of human rights campaigns aimed at protecting freedoms worldwide. To read more details on this story, visit the original articles by AP News and the BBC.