Spain’s Santiago Sánchez Cogedor was eager to embark on another adventure when he set out to walk from Madrid to Qatar to attend the soccer World Cup in January 2022. Little did he know that his journey would take a devastating turn. Sánchez was detained in Iran, accused of espionage, and was held in the notorious Evin prison for 14 months.
The 42-year-old Spaniard, known for his love of adventure, had previously visited Iran in 2020 and felt comfortable returning to the Middle Eastern country. However, he had no idea what awaited him when he arrived. Sánchez claimed he was set up by an Iranian man who had encouraged him to take a photo at the grave of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who had died in Iranian custody. Santiago insisted that he only had a photo of the grave and does not understand why he was accused of espionage.
Sánchez recounted the harsh conditions he endured in Evin prison, which is known for its inhumane treatment of prisoners. Despite the suffering, he sought to contribute positively to the prison community by organizing classes and sports activities for fellow inmates.
After spending 14 months in prison, Sánchez was finally released and returned to Spain. His arrival at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport on January 2 was marked by emotional reunions with his family and friends. Sánchez expressed gratitude for regaining his freedom but admitted that his mind was still in Iran, indicating the psychological toll of his traumatic experience.
Looking ahead, Sánchez sees his release as a new opportunity to grow and improve from his painful ordeal. He maintains a positive outlook, emphasizing the importance of overcoming boundaries in the mind and using his pain to achieve personal growth.
Sánchez’s harrowing experience serves as a stark reminder of the risks and challenges faced by adventurers, as well as the resilience and strength of the human spirit.