Akbar Ganji

Akbar Ganji in Chicago

Akbar Ganji (Persian: اکبر گنجی‎; born 31 January 1960) is an Iranian journalist, writer, and political dissident. He is best known for his role in exposing the involvement of high-ranking Iranian officials in the Chain Murders of Iran, a series of assassinations and disappearances of Iranian intellectuals and dissidents in the late 1990s.

Early Life and Education

Akbar Ganji was born in Tehran, Iran. He pursued his higher education at the University of Tehran, where he studied sociology. Ganji's early career was marked by his involvement in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the early years of the Iranian Revolution.

Journalism Career

Ganji began his journalism career in the 1990s, writing for various reformist newspapers and magazines. His investigative reports and articles often criticized the Iranian government and exposed corruption within the political system. Ganji's most notable work was his series of articles on the Chain Murders, which implicated senior officials in the Ministry of Intelligence and other government bodies.

Imprisonment and Hunger Strike

In 2000, Ganji was arrested and charged with "acting against national security" and "propaganda against the state." He was sentenced to six years in prison. During his imprisonment, Ganji continued to write and smuggle out letters and articles, which were published in international media. In 2005, he went on a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment and the lack of medical care. His hunger strike lasted for more than two months and drew significant international attention to his plight.

Release and Exile

Ganji was released from prison in 2006. Following his release, he continued to face harassment and threats from the Iranian authorities. In 2008, he left Iran and went into exile. Since then, Ganji has lived in various countries, including the United States and Germany, where he continues to write and speak out against the Iranian government.

Awards and Recognition

Ganji has received numerous awards for his courage and contributions to journalism and human rights, including the Golden Pen of Freedom Award from the World Association of Newspapers and the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders.

Works

Ganji has authored several books and articles, many of which have been translated into multiple languages. His works include:

• The Dungeon of Ghosts (2000)
• Republican Manifesto (2002)
• The Road to Democracy in Iran (2008)

See Also

• Chain Murders of Iran
• Iranian dissidents
• Human rights in Iran
• Iranian reform movement

External Links

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