Youssef Azizi

ABOUT YOUSSEF AZIZI

Iranian Arab journalist and Arab nationalist who escaped political imprisonment in 2008 when he fled to the United Kingdom, where he gained political asylum and continued to live in exile. He is a former member of the famed Association of Iran's Writers, is an English PEN honorary member, and he was an active participant in the Iranian Revolution of 1979, after which he continued teaching high school administration and Arabic language until he was fired and accused of being a "leftist," which eventually led to his imprisonment in Charchir and Evin Prisons.

He attended Fatemi High School in Ahwaz before going on to earn a bachelor's degree in administration from the University of Tehran in the year 1973.

He adopted the additional surname Bani-Torof, which directly translates to "Children of Torof." He did so to illustrate his background and ancestry from the "Bani Torof" Arab tribe.

He married his wife, who was born in Al Ahwaz, in 1980. Together, they have two children. They are a son and a daughter, both of whom are teachers.

Masoud Behnoud and Nikahang Kowsar are also famous Iranian journalists.