Additional Name(s): فریبا اشتری
Gender: Female
Current Location: Yazd Prison, Yazd
Perpetrator: Iran
Ethnic Group: Fars
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/7/2022
Date of Sentencing: June/20/2020
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Fariba Ashtari
Extra Bio Info:
Fariba Ashtari was imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.
On December 2, 2019, authorities arrested Ashtari from her home reportedly in relation to her being Baha'i.
In February 2020, Ashtari was released on bail.
On June 20, 2020, the Yazd Revolutionary Court of Yazd sentenced Ashtari to five years in prison for "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC) and one year in prison for "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). She is expected to serve five years as the sentences run concurrently.
On September 7, 2022, Ashtari was taken into custody to begin serving her sentence in Yazd Prison.
In February 2023, Ashtari was reportedly released from prison after receiving amnesty.
Ashtari has previously been imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.
Sources:
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Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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"Baha’i Individual Fariba Ashtari Arrested in Yazd" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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"فریبا اشتری، شهروند بهائی توسط ماموران امنیتی بازداشت شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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"Fariba Ashtari" United for Iran
Additional Name(s): Jila Shahriari, ژیلا شهریاری
Gender: Female
Current Location: Evin Prison, Tehran
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Reduced to 2 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Sentence: Originally 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: September/11/2022
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Zhila Shahriari
Extra Bio Info:
Zhila Shahriari is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.
In August/September 2016, authorities arrested Shahriari reportedly in relation to her being Baha'i.
In September 2016, Shahriari was released on bail.
On an unspecified date, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Shahriari to five years in prison on unspecified charges.
On an unspecified date, an appeals court reportedly reduced Shahriari's sentence to two years and six months in prison.
On September 11, 2022, Shahriari was taken into custody to begin serving her sentence in Evin Prison.
Sources:
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"Baha’is Citizen Jila Shahriari Imprisoned" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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"ژیلا شهریاری، شهروند بهائی جهت تحمل حبس بازداشت و به زندان اوین منتقل شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
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"Zhila Shahriari" United for Iran
Sep 9, 2022
Since 2020, USCIRF has recommended that Nicaragua be included on the State Department’s Special Watch List for severe violations of religious freedom. In 2022, the Nicaraguan government has greatly intensified its oppression of the Catholic Church. Last month, USCIRF released a Country Update on Nicaragua, which highlighted the persecution of the clergy and the elimination of Church-affiliated organizations.
USCIRF Researcher Zack Udin, the author of the new report, joins us today to discuss the deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua.
Read USCIRF's 2022 Country Update on Religious Freedom in Nicaragua