Baktash Abtin (Mehdi Kazemi), born in 1974 in Shahr-e Rey, Iran, was a poet, writer, and filmmaker known for Mika (2007), Park Mark (2009) and Fariborz Raisdana (2020).

Baktash was imprisoned for 'propaganda against the state' and 'actions against national security'.

He had professional associations with the IFFR and was supported by Amnesty International after his imprisonment.

“[…] We, with complete knowledge of the risks, will emphasise our defined obligation, which is to fight for freedom of expression and against censorship. But we expect all our friends, writers, intellectuals and those who fight for freedom of expression around the world to support us, especially while they do not have a similar horrible situation like us.”

Life and imprisonment

After graduating from high school, Bektash Abtin became interested in poetry, and in a short time succeeded in publishing three poetry books. Due to his interest in poetry and literature he became familiar with cinema, entering its world by writing a script and playing in a TV movie.

Abtin directed his first documentary, called The Solar Eclipse, in 2005 and has realised several documentaries up until 2013 including some features touching on more comedic and intimate aspects of Iranian Society.

Abtin was arrested at least once before his final detainment after participating in a commemoration for murdered writers on 2 December 2016.

After involvement with the publication of a book describing the history of the Iranian Writer's Association, Abtin was charged on 15 May 2019, with "illegal assembly and collusion against national security" and "spreading propaganda against the state". He was sentenced to a total of 6 years imprisonment. Baktash Abtin entered Evin Prison in Tehran on 26 September 2020.

In September 2021, Abtin was honored along with his co-authors Keyvan Bajan and Reza Khandan Mahabadi with the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.

“… freedom has never been gifted to anyone on a gold plate. We ought to pay a heavy price for it. [..] In a country like Iran, death is very cheap for intellectuals, freedom loving people and those who fight for freedom of expression.”

Illness and death

On 4 April 2021, Abtin was transferred to the prison clinic after showing symptoms of pneumonia likely linked to the internationally prevalent COVID-19 pandemic. During this initial period of illness, Abtin was allegedly denied proper treatment and he was released back to the general population within a week while still unwell. Abtin decided to self-quarantine in the prison's hussainiya to protect fellow inmates from his own probable infection.

Abtin was finally granted a medical furlough for treatment by family appointed doctors in October 2021, after never having fully recovered. He was confirmed to be infected with COVID-19 related pneumonia again in December 2021, and was eventually transferred to an intensive care unit at the nearby Taleghani Hospital.

After being placed into a medically induced coma on the first day of 2022, Abtin died from his illness on 8 January, at the age of 47.

Hadi Ghaemi, director of the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran called for accountability over Abtin's death, while tens of thousands of others responded on social media.

Works

Poems

He has three volumes of poetry under his belt, all published in Persian. These include:

    Black means night
    My Heart
    Of the Deep Wounds

Filmography

2020 Fariborz Raisdana (Short, doc)
2018 October 13, 1937 (Short, doc)
2013 Mory Wants a Wife | Mory zan mikhad (Short, doc)
2009 Park Mark (Short, doc)
2008 The Near Dream (Short, doc)
2007 Mika (Short, doc)
2007 The Sleep Penetration (Short, doc)
2006 The Sand Jar (Short, doc)
2005 The Solar Eclipse (Short, doc)


Awards and recognition

In September 2021, Abtin was honored along with his co-authors Keyvan Bajan and Reza Khandan Mahabadi with the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award.

A documentary film made by Mohammad Rasoulof was aired on televisions including Persian TVs abroad in his memory.