Additional Name(s): احمد سرپرست

Gender: Male

Current Location: Lakan Prison

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/8/2022

Date of Sentencing: April//2022

Date of Release: October//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

Ahmad Sarparast

Extra Bio Info:

Ahmad Sarparast was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert. 

In September 2021, authorities arrested Sarparast, a member of the Church of Iran, and others in Rasht reportedly in relation to their religious practice. Sarparast was reportedly held in solitary confinement. 

Later in September 2021, Sarparast was released on bail.

In April 2022, Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Sarparast 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 8, 2022, intelligence agents reportedly arrested Sarparast from his home.

In October 2023, Sarparast was reportedly granted conditional release from prison. He must report to the prison everyday to engage in compulsory work.

Related Cases: Ayub Pour Rezazadeh, Morteza Mashhood Kari

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Ayoob Poor-Rezazadeh, Ayoub Pourreza-Zadeh, ایوب پوررضازاده

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/8/2022

Date of Sentencing: April//2022

Date of Release: October//2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Practicing Religion as a Convert Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Ayub Pour Rezazadeh

Extra Bio Info:

Ayub Pour Rezazadeh was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert. 

In September 2021, authorities arrested Rezazadeh, a member of the Church of Iran, and others in Rasht reportedly in relation to their religious practice. Rezazadeh was reportedly held in solitary confinement. 

In October 2021, Rezazadeh was released on bail.

In April 2022, Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Rezazadeh 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 8, 2022, intelligence agents reportedly arrested Rezazadeh from his home.

In October 2023, Rezazadeh was reportedly granted conditional release from prison. He must report to the prison everyday to engage in compulsory work.

Related Cases: Morteza Mashhood Kari, Ahmad Sarparast

Sources:

Additional Name(s): سید صدرالله فاضلی زارع

Gender: Male

Current Location: Arak Prison

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Unspecified

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: Death

Date of Detainment: May//2020

Date of Death: May/8/2023

Current Status: Deceased

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Expression about Religion Online Activity

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Seyyed Sadrullah Fazeli Zare

Extra Bio Info:

Seyyed Sadrullah Fazeli Zare was imprisoned and executed on blasphemy-related charges.

In May 2020, authorities arrested Zare after accusing him and others of being a member of a Telegram channel entitled "Critique of Superstition and Religion." Members of the group allegedly expressed opinions insulting to religion, including the Prophet Muhammad. One member was said to have set religious books on fire. Zare was transferred to Arak Prison. He was reportedly held in solitary confinement for two months after his arrest and was denied family visits and phone calls eight months after his arrest.

In April 2021, it was reported that Branch 1 of the Arak Criminal Court had sentenced Yusef Mehrdad and another unnamed individual - later revealed as Seyyed Sadrullah Fazeli Zare - to death for "insulting Islamic sanctities" (Art. 513 IPC) and "insulting the Prophet" (Art. 262 IPC).

In May 2023, Zare was reportedly moved into solitary confinement in preparation for his imminent execution. However, following international outcry, he was moved back into the general prison population. 

On May 8, 2023, Zare was executed.

Zare was reportedly the caretaker of his elderly mother.

Related Cases: Yusef Mehrdad

Sources:
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