Together with Medico International, we invite you to the screening of the documentary Tomorrow – The Journey of Maysoon Majidi, directed by Vincenzo Caricari, Barbara Di Fabio, followed by a conversation with the film’s protagonist.
With Maysoon Majidi, we will discuss about the political persecution in Iran,the perspectives on the Kurdish resistance, and the criminalization of refugees in Europe—as well as the connections between these experiences.
When: 18 July, 20:00
Where: Aquarium, Skalitzer Str. 6, 10999 Berlin
The event will be held in English. No registration is required.
The story
Maysoon Majidi – Film director, journalist and human rights activist – was arrested under “smuggling” charges in Italy in December 2023, while on her way to seek asylum.
Kurdish woman in Iran, she leaves the country in 2019 after persecution for her activism. She flees to Iraqi Kurdistan, but after being denied renewal of her residence and scared of being sent back to Iran, she is forced to continue her journey. She then travels to Turkey, with the goal to get to Italy by sea.
Five days after departure, she reaches Italy on a boat with 77 other people. There, she is arrested together with the “captain” for facilitating the irregular entry of others. She was held in Castrovillari prison, in the south of Italy, where she started a hunger strike and lost 15 kg in 2 months.
She was accused by two passengers of being an accomplice to the boat’s captain, based on allegations that she distributed food and water during the journey.The defense later located the two witnesses, who clarified that Maysoon had been only a passenger.
They explained that they had misunderstood the questions during their testimony because the interpretation had been provided in a different language. When the trial takes place, these witnesses are not asked by the court to come testify, despite the contact had been shared by the defense lawyer.
In the following hearing, four passengers came forward to testify, along with the captain himself— who had stated that he was the only captain. She was eventually granted house arrest while awaiting the court’s verdict.
On 5 February 2025, Maysoon was acquitted of all charges and finally regained her freedom.
However, in July 2025, the prosecution appealed the decision, and now another court has been scheduled for February 15, 2027.
Maysoon’s story is not an isolated one. Under policies aimed at combating migrant smuggling, thousands of people seeking safety have been prosecuted and imprisoned.