Hello, I'm Mabin Azar and welcome to this bonus episode in the documentary from the BBC

World Service. I'm one of the hosts of the BBC's Lives Less Ordinary podcast, delivering

extraordinary stories from around the world. We'll bring you an episode of Lives Less Ordinary

here from time to time, but to hear every episode search for lives less ordinary,

wherever you find your BBC podcasts.

When you are here with a heavy sentence on you, it is as if you have died, but you are not

completely detached from this world.

This is the voice of Anusha Ashuri, speaking from inside prison in Iran.

He's been jailed for espionage, charges that were unfounded and untrue.

This place is sometimes called the Land of the Living Dead, with many walking aimlessly

back and forth, day of the day, month of the living dead, with many walking aimlessly back and forth, day after day,

months after month, and year after year, continuously asking themselves,

what have I done to deserve this?

He's not sure how long he'll be locked up, but hope keeps him alive.

That same hope also makes him vulnerable to disappointment and the crushing lows that come with it.

He finds ways to cope, art, poetry and the rich intellect of fellow prisoners.

But every year that passes is another year spent apart from the family

he loved so dearly.

I only live with the memories of my wife, my kids.

By the time I am out of this circle of hands, after ten years, I may be too old for them

to recognize me when they pass by each other if they are not told that we are related.

This is the Lives Less Ordinary podcast from the BBC World Service.

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