About Morad

October 1, 1955 - Morad Tahbaz is born in London, England, beginning a life that would span continents, industries, and causes—from commercial real estate to wildlife conservation, visual arts, and human resilience.

1960s - 1970s - Morad spends his formative years in boarding schools in England and attends secondary school between Iran and the United States, developing a global perspective from an early age. He cultivates what will be a lifelong love of wildlife, subscribing to National Geographic at age 9.

1973–1977 - Morad attends Colgate University in New York, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Fine Arts, laying the foundation for his future artistic endeavors.

1979 - The Iranian Revolution forces Morad to start his life anew in the United States, an early taste of resilience in the face of adversity.

1983 - Morad receives his Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University in New York City.

1980s - 1990s - Morad builds a successful career in commercial real estate development, while nurturing his lifelong passion for nature and wildlife.

Morad moves to Connecticut with his wife and two daughters, shortly followed by the birth of their son.

2008 - Together with a local friend, Morad co-founds the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF) in Iran, addressing the dire state of wildlife and habitat in the country. PWHF grows to become the largest wildlife and habitat conservation organization in Iran.

2010 - 2017 - Morad contributes to conservation discussions in various publications, from academic papers to popular magazine publications and children’s books. He is invited to speak on conservation and wildlife at numerous institutions, including Yale University, UCLA, and the Royal Geographical Society of London.

November 2017 - Morad’s passport is confiscated upon exiting Iran with his wife and daughter, Tara, at the end of a trip, banning him from travel and marking the beginning of his ordeal with Iranian authorities. His wife, Vida, is subsequently placed on a travel ban and unable to leave Iran as well.

January 10, 2018 - Morad is arrested and taken to Evin Prison's IRGC special detention center, known as 2A, where he endures physical and psychological torture, including being denied essential medical care for pre-existing conditions, including cancer.

Late January 2018 - Within weeks of Morad's arrest, eight more of his colleagues from the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation are also arrested.

Throughout Morad's imprisonment, his children and family engage in tireless advocacy efforts for his release, working to raise awareness about his case and push for diplomatic action. Senator Richard Blumental and Congressman Jim Himes of Connecticut join them in pushing for Morad’s release.

In January, Morad was moved to the public ward of the prison after spending nearly two years in Evin Prison's IRGC special detention center.

Early February 2018 - Kavous Seyed-Emami, Morad's close friend and co-founder of PWHF, dies in a cell two doors down from Morad under suspicious circumstances.

March 22, 2018 - Morad is transferred to a cell with three other prisoners, including a member of ISIS who repeatedly attempts suicide, exposing him to additional psychological stress. He has been held in solitary confinement without communication for 70 days.

June 2018 - Morad is returned to solitary confinement for 20 days without communication or interrogation, further isolating him from the outside world.

August 2018 - Morad endures more physical and mental torture in a below-ground location. He is then transferred to an overcrowded cell with 11 inmates in a space designed for 6.

October 2019 - After repeated requests, his wife’s pleadings, and intervention from the prosecutor's office, Morad is finally tested for carcinoid cancer, highlighting the ongoing struggle for adequate medical care.

Late 2019 - Early 2020 - Morad is misdiagnosed with cancer at an IRGC hospital and undergoes unnecessary chemotherapy, further compromising his health.

2020 - 2021 - Despite harsh conditions, including constant bright lights, poor food, and overcrowding, Morad finds solace in creating art, designing carpets, sculpting wooden animals, and sketching wildlife, demonstrating the power of creativity in maintaining hope.

Early 2022 - After nearly two years, Morad's trial concludes, with charges reduced from spying (which carried a potential death sentence) to collaborating with an enemy state with a 10 year prison sentence.

March 16, 2022 - Morad is temporarily released on furlough as part of a hostage negotiation between the UK and Iran, which left him and his wife behind. He is quickly returned to prison within 48 hours, dealing a very emotional and public blow to him and his family.

July 2022 - Morad is allowed to go on furlough for three months to attend to his medical needs.

September 18, 2023 - After months of diplomatic efforts and almost six years in prison, Morad is finally released and returns home, ending his long ordeal and reuniting with his family. His wife, Vida, is able to return home after a six-year travel ban.

October 1, 2023 - Morad celebrates his first birthday in six years again with his family.

2023 - Present - Morad continues his artistic pursuits and advocacy work, sharing his story to raise awareness about conservation efforts, the plight of political prisoners worldwide, and the importance of legislation to deter hostage diplomacy.