Additional Name(s): Zhang Weizhu, 张维柱

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: China

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: May/21/2021

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Unregistered Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Joseph Zhang Weizhu

Extra Bio Info:

Joseph Zhang Weizhu is detained for his religious activity. 

On May 21, 2021, authorities detained Zhang, the Vatican-approved bishop of the Xinxiang Diocese in Henan, the day after security forces arrested several priests and seminarians at the Xinxiang Diocese's seminary.  It is believed that Zhang was arrested for violating the revised Regulations on Religious Affairs, which require state approval of clergy.

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Additional Name(s): Abdolreza Ali-Haghnejad, Matias, Matthias, عبدالرضا علی‌ حق‌نژاد

Gender: Male

Current Location: Minab

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December/26/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

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

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly

Abdolreza Ali Haghnejad

Extra Bio Info:

Abdolreza Ali Haghnejad is detained for practicing his religion as a convert.

On January 15, 2022, authorities reportedly arrested Haghnejad, a church leader, in Bandar Anzali for a prior conviction of and six-year sentence for “propagating Christianity" overturned in 2014.  He was transferred to Anzali Prison.

In February 2022, a court of appeals acquitted Haghnejad of his 2019 sentence for "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC).

In July 2022, Haghnejad was reportedly granted leave from prison.

On December 26, 2022, authorities reportedly arrested Haghnejad and other Christian converts after raiding a house church during a Christmas celebration.  They were subsequently transferred to Lakan Prison.

In July 2023, a court reportedly levelled new charges against Haghnejad for undermining state security. 

In July 2023, it was reported that Haghnejad was flown to Minab to complete his prison sentence.

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Since 2011, Haghnejad has been arrested several times in relation to his religious activity.

On February 10, 2019, Haghnejad was arrested while at his home.  Other members of the Church of Iran in Rasht were reportedly arrested around the same time.

On July 24, 2019, a judge reportedly set an exorbitantly high bail for Haghnejad forcing him to remain in prison. During this hearing, it is also reported that Haghnejad was not allowed to choose his own lawyer. 

On October 13, 2019, Haghnejad was sentenced to five years in prison for "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC).

In March 2020, Haghnejad's appeal was rejected after he and his lawyer were reportedly not allowed to attend the hearing. 

On December 30, 2021, Haghnejad was reportedly conditionally released from Anzali Prison pending a review of his case.

Related Cases: Anahita Khademi

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Additional Name(s): حسین کدیور

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Acquitted

Sentence: Originally 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/28/2020

Date of Sentencing: October/13/2019

Date of Release: January/1/2022

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: Illegal Assembly

Hossein Kadivar

Extra Bio Info:

Hossein Kadivar was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert.

On January 29, 2019, authorities arrested Kadivar at a house-church.  Other members of the Church of Iran in Rasht were reportedly arrested around the same time.

In March 2019, Kadivar was released on bail pending trial.

On October 13, 2019, Kadivar was sentenced to five years in prison for “assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC).

In March 2020, Kadivar's appeal was rejected after he and his lawyer were reportedly not allowed to attend the hearing. 

On May 28, 2020, Kadivar was reportedly summoned to begin serving his sentence at Evin Prison.

On January 1, 2022, Kadivar was reportedly conditionally released from Evin Prison pending a review of his case. 

In February 2022, a court of appeals acquitted Kadivar. 

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