Release Ailing Iranian Calligrapher Sadegh Mansouri
Iran
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
27 February 2026
[New York & Paris] – ARC – Artists at Risk Connection is deeply concerned by reports that Iranian calligrapher Sadegh Mansouri, detained since December in Mashhad, is in critical condition after suffering a hernia in detention and being denied adequate medical care. ARC calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately ensure he receives appropriate medical treatment and release him without delay.
“Denying medical care to a detained artist is both cruel and unlawful,” said Julie Trébault, Executive Director of ARC. “No one should face imprisonment or life-threatening conditions for peacefully attending a memorial. Sadegh Mansouri must receive urgent medical treatment and be released without delay. We stand in unwavering solidarity with him, his family, and the artists across Iran who continue to face detention, intimidation, and violence for exercising their fundamental rights. We call on the authorities to end this pattern of repression, and on the international community to act decisively to ensure accountability and protection.”
Mansouri, a calligrapher and teacher, is a member of the Khorasan Calligraphers Association who was also previously arrested during the armed conflict between Iran and Israel on charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic” and “propaganda against the system.” Most recently, he was detained after attending the seven-day memorial for prominent Kurdish lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, who died in custody under suspicious circumstances. His continued detention, despite having posted bail, violates his rights to due process and his safety.
Mansouri’s case unfolds amid a renewed wave of repression following the January 2026 protests in Iran, during which artists and cultural figures were targeted for their participation in civic expression. Multiple artists have reportedly been killed, detained, or subjected to intimidation in connection with these protests.
About ARC
ARC – Artists at Risk Connection is an international organization committed to promoting and advancing the right to artistic freedom worldwide. Founded in 2017, ARC works to protect artists and cultural workers who are at risk because of their creative expression, often connected to their identities or roles within their communities. By providing vital resources and support, ARC helps artists at risk overcome challenges like persecution, censorship, threats, and violence from both state and non-state actors—whether for their artistic expression or the broader impact they have on cultural, social, and political issues.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Julie Trébault
Executive Director
ARC – Artists at Risk Connection
+1 646.860.5446
jtrebault@artistsatriskconnection.org