A prominent writer and member of the Writers' Association of Iran says his release was made possible by the power of the people's protest movement.

Reza Khandan Mahabadi, who was released in February after months of detention, wrote on his Facebook page Sunday that the Iranian regime’s suppression of protests added to people's griefs, but “it could not put the genie back into the bottle.”

“So the regime had to give in to the people's will to some extent and therefore the Islamic Republic opened the door of the prisons a little,” added Khandan.

“Although the victories of the movement are pleasant, they are not sufficient. There are still many political prisoners waiting for their trial while the arrests continue,” he went on to say.

Despite the release of some political prisoners, including Khandan and several other members of the Writers' Association, many political prisoners, including Keyvan Mohtadi are still behind bars.

During antigovernment protests at least 20,000 people were arrested and many still remain in prison. Four protesters were hanged in December and others face the death penalty.

Khandan, 62, was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of "propaganda against the establishment" and "complicity in acting against the security of the country" and his sentence came into effect at the beginning of October 2020.

He became a member of the Writers' Association of Iran in 1998 and has been a member of the board of directors of for five terms.