Famous Political Prisoners

Indian freedom fighter who was arrested in South Africa for deliberately breaching laws that "discriminated against Indians and violated their dignity and their freedom." He was sentenced to four terms of imprisonment from 1908 to 1913.

An Austrian Roman Catholic priest and part of the anti-Nazi resistance. He was executed as the last victim of Hitler's regime in Vienna.

National heroine of France. A peasant girl turned military leader tried for heresy, which included blaspheming by wearing men's clothes, acting upon visions that were demonic, and refusing to submit her words and deeds to the judgment of the church. She was declared guilty and burned at the stake in 1431.

An indigenous activist in Argentina, and founder of the Tupac Amaru Neighborhood Association. Arrested in 2016 and charged with sedition after organizing a month-long protest against new policies brought by Gerardo Morales.

Saudi Arabian human rights activist, arrested in 2018. Challenged the conservative stance of authorities in Saudi Arabia by advocating for the rights of women to vote and drive.

Led Myanmar's opposition, National League for Democracy, which was victorious in the 1990 general election. She was imprisoned or under house arrest for 15 out of the 21 years from 1990 to 2010. In 2021, she was imprisoned by the Myanmar military in a coup d'état.

Popular prophet who was arrested in Jerusalem and was crucified. Some say he lived to tell the tale.

Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist. Criticized Vladimir Putin and United Russia as a "party of crooks and thieves." Was convicted of embezzlement in politically motivated charges, and died suspiciously in prison in 2024.

A radical anarchist immigrant who was imprisoned for two years and then deported by the US government for her opposition to the First World War.

South African anti-apartheid activist and politician who served as the first president of South Africa. He served 27 years in prison for conspiring to overthrow the state.

A leftist Italian writer and political activist. After his party was outlawed by Benito Mussolini's fascists, he was jailed and spent 8 years in prison.

Queen of Hawaiʻi, placed under house arrest at ʻIolani Palace during the United States-backed overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.

His "Letter From a Birmingham City Jail" has been described as "one of the most important historical documents penned by a modern political prisoner."

A Chinese pro-democracy activist, was imprisoned multiple times (from the late 1980s to prior to his death in 2017) in China by the Chinese government.

Leader of Pakistan’s opposition and imprisoned under General Zia ul Haq. She was the first woman to head the government of an Islamic state, and was assassinated in 2007.