Saeed Malekpour (born 1970) is an Iranian‑American software engineer and former political prisoner. He gained international attention after being arrested by Iranian authorities in 2008 on charges of “collaborating with hostile governments” and “propaganda against the state” for his alleged involvement with the anti‑government website Toosheh (also known as “The Burner”).
Early life and education
Malekpour was born in Tehran, Iran. He later moved to the United States, where he earned a degree in computer science and worked as a software developer. Specific details about his academic institutions and early career are not widely documented in publicly accessible encyclopedic sources.
Arrest and trial
In August 2008, Iranian security forces detained Malekpour while he was visiting family in Iran. Prosecutors alleged that he had provided technical assistance to the Toosheh website, which disseminated information critical of the Iranian government. In March 2009, he was tried by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and sentenced to death by hanging. The sentence was later reduced to 15 years' imprisonment after appeals and international diplomatic pressure.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, criticized the trial for lacking due process, citing the denial of legal representation, the use of coerced confessions, and the absence of transparent evidence.
Imprisonment and health concerns
Malekpour spent much of his sentence in Evin Prison, where he reported deteriorating health, including cardiovascular problems and limited access to medical care. His case became a focal point of advocacy campaigns by diaspora communities and Western governments, which called for his release on humanitarian grounds.
Release
In February 2023, after serving approximately 15 years, Malekpour was released from prison following a presidential pardon issued by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Upon release, he returned to the United States, where he resumed his work in software development and public speaking on issues of internet freedom and human rights.
Notable impact
Malekpour’s case highlighted concerns about the treatment of dual nationals and the use of the judicial system in Iran to suppress dissent. It also underscored the broader challenges faced by activists and technologists providing tools for online circumvention of state censorship.
