Iranian Musician Held for Nearly 4 Months Over Instagram Stories

Faezeh Saleh-Abadi, a daf musician and mother of two, has been held at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad since February 2025. Her family says they are unable to provide the 4 billion toman bail required for her temporary release due to financial hardship.

According to a report by Emtedad, the 33-year-old woman was arrested by security forces at her home in Mashhad on February 9, 2025. After spending one night at the Mosalla Women’s Police Station, she was transferred to the Revolutionary Court and then sent to prison.

Faezeh Saleh-Abadi has now been held for nearly four months in a ward known as “Aramesh” (Tranquility) at Vakilabad Prison, a ward reportedly used to house detainees linked to the January protests.

Her husband, speaking to Emtedad, said the charges against Saleh-Abadi include “insulting Islamic sanctities,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “propaganda against the state.” According to him, these charges relate to her activities on social media, specifically posting stories on Instagram.

According to the report, Saleh-Abadi presented her defense on April 7, 2025, expressing remorse and acknowledging the actions attributed to her. Her case was reviewed on May 25 and, after confirmation, was referred to the Revolutionary Court.

However, a final court hearing for sentencing has not yet been held. In the meantime, bail has been set at 4 billion tomans, which her family is unable to pay.

Her husband, who suffers from epilepsy and cited the family’s financial difficulties, said he submitted a request to judicial authorities to reduce the bail amount, but the request was denied. He also stated that, due to their poor financial situation, his wife has been unable to retain a lawyer since her arrest.

Faezeh Saleh-Abadi is the mother of two children - an eight-year-old daughter and a fourteen-year-old son - who, according to the family, has struggled with asthma and respiratory problems since childhood. The two children are currently in the care of their paternal grandparents.

According to her husband, the family’s primary concern at this time is securing bail and enabling her temporary release so she can see her children. He also claimed that Faezeh Saleh-Abadi’s paternal family has not supported her and, despite having the financial means, has taken no steps to provide bail.