Additional Name(s): 刘红更, 刘宏根
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: May/7/2015
Current Status: Unknown
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Disappeared
Reason for Persecution: Pilgrimage Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Unregistered Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Liu Honggeng is imprisoned for his religious leadership role and for practicing his religion without state-approval.
On May 7, 2015, authorities in Baoding city, Hebei province, detained Liu, a priest at an underground church in Baoding, reportedly to "prevent pilgrimages to his church." Liu was also the vice rector of Our Lady Queen of China shrine in Baoding. Liu's current whereabouts are unknown.
Liu was previously imprisoned between December 2006 and August 2014 after authorities detained him and eight other unofficial priests reportedly for gathering to pray and study during the Christmas season.
Photo attributed to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)
"Liu Honggeng" Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)
Additional Name(s): མཁའ་འགྲོ་ཚེ་བརྟན་, Kangzhu Cidan, 康珠次丹
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Ethnic Group: Tibetan
Religion or Belief: Buddhist – Tibetan
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 7 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: April/26/2019
Date of Sentencing: July//2020
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Adherence to a Religious Figure Online Activity Singing, Playing, & Producing Religious Songs & Music
Nature of Charges: Leaking State Secrets Subversion
Khadro Tseten is imprisoned for his religious expression.
On April 26, 2019, authorities in Tsekhog (Zeku) county, Malho (Huangnan) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai province, detained three Tibetans, including Tseten, for producing or sharing a song praising the Dalai Lama online. Tseten was reportedly the lyricist.
In July 2020, an unidentified court reportedly sentenced Tseten to seven years in prison for "subverting state power" (Art. 105 (1) CCL) and "leaking state secrets" (Art. 111 CCL).
Tseten was previously detained from 2012 to 2014 for participating in protests in Rebgong over Tibetan-language education in 2010.
Photo attributed to the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)
"Khadro Tseten" Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)
Additional Name(s): Morteza Mashoodkari, Morteza Hajeb Mashhoud-Kari, مرتضی مشهودکاری
Gender: Male
Current Location: Lakan Prison
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 2 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment (Originally 5 Years' Imprisonment)
Date of Detainment: May/10/2022
Date of Sentencing: April//2022
Date of Release: May//2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Practicing Religion as a Convert Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Morteza Mashhood Kari was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert.
In September 2021, authorities arrested Kari, a member of the Church of Iran, and others in Rasht reportedly in relation to their religious practice. Kari was reportedly held in solitary confinement.
Later in September 2021, Kari was released on bail.
In April 2022, Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Kari to five years in prison for "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). Article 18 reported the charge as “engaging in propaganda and education of deviant beliefs contrary to the holy Sharia” and “connections with foreign leaders."
On May 10, 2022, Kari was reportedly arrested after being summoned to the Courthouse of Rasht City. He was transferred to Lakan Prison.
In November 2022, it was reported that Kari received a partial pardon, reducing his sentence to two and a half years in prison.
In May 2023, Kari was released from prison. He must report to prison everyday to engage in compulsory work.
Related Cases: Ayub Pour Rezazadeh, Ahmad Sarparast
Photo attributed to Article 18
"Converts released from prison but must report back daily for work" Article 18
"آزادی سه نوکیش از زندان؛ «هر روز باید برای کار خود را معرفی کنند»" Article 18
"Morteza Mashhood Kari" United for Iran
"House-church members still detained, families told upcoming appeal doomed" Article 18
"Christian Convert Morteza Hajeb Mashhoud-Kari Arrested in Rasht" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Converts already facing charges re-arrested in Rasht" Article 18
"Christian converts given five-year sentences for ‘deviant propaganda’" Article 18
"Christian convert released on bail after month’s incommunicado detention" Article 18