What fate awaits the Lionesses who are returning to Iran? Iranian-Australian journalist Shokoofeh Azar is hoping for the best – that the women will be forced into a humiliating public confession - but won’t be imprisoned, tortured or executed. 

Shookofeh has personal experience of how the Islamic Republic treats women. After several arrests and stints in prison in Iran, Shookofeh came to Australia on a people-smuggling vessel, via Christmas Island - a path many Iranians have taken in their desperation to be free. Now, she works for The Australian.

See the video of this interview on our YouTube channel and read some of Shookofeh’s work here: 

Bombed, afraid, defiant: Iranian voices from the war

Sexual torture, Koran beatings: the horrors women face in Iran’s prisons

Amid regime repression, Iranians are so angry they can’t feel fear

This episode of The Front is presented by Claire Harvey, produced by Kristen Amiet and edited by Lia Tsamoglou. Our team includes Tiffany Dimmack, Joshua Burton and Jasper Leak, who also composed our music.