Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Date of Detainment: December/29/2023
Date of Release: January/14/2024
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Silvio Fonseca was detained for his religious expression and his religious leadership role.
On December 29, 2023, Nicaraguan authorities arrested Silvio Fonseca, the vicar of Family, Life, and Childhood in the Archdiocese of Managua. Fonseca has openly criticized the government's religious freedom violations. His arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.
On January 14, 2024, Fonseca was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.
Related Cases: Héctor Treminio, Carlos Avilés, Fernando Calero, Marcos Díaz Prado, Mykel Monterrey, Raúl Zamora, Gerardo Rodríguez, Miguel Mántica, Jader Hernández, Ervin López
USCIRF Press Release: USCIRF Condemns Nicaragua's Arbitrary Detention of Priests January 4, 2024
"Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo's regime puts priests in the crosshairs at Christmas" El Pais
"Dictadura ejecuta gran redada “Navidad negra” contra sacerdotes" Confidencial
"Dictadura sandinista secuestra a Monseñores Miguel Mántica, Silvio Fonseca y tres sacerdotes más" 100% Noticias
Additional Name(s): آرش مرادی
Gender: Male
Current Location: Evin Prison
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi
Date of Detainment: October//2023
Date of Sentencing: December//2023
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Humanitarian Work & Charitable Activities Online Activity Religious Identity
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Insulting Public Officials & Institutions Public Disorder Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Arash Moradi is imprisoned on religiously-based charges for his social activism.
In October 2023, Iranian security forces arrested Moradi, a Gonabadi Sufi and social activist, at his workplace in Kashan and took him to Evin Prison. While in detention, authorities interrogated Moradi and forced him to confess to alleged transgressions related to his advocacy against homelessness. He was ultimately charged at Branch 3 of Evin Court with disrespecting Islamic sanctities, preaching against the system, insulting Iranian leaders, and spreading lies on social media. Despite having legal representation, Moradi was reportedly refused legal assistance at all stages of the inquiry and court procedures.
In December 2023, Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Moradi to eight years in prison on multiple charges, including: two years for “disturbing public opinions,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” three years for “blasphemy,” and two years for “insulting the former and current Supreme Court of Iran.” Moradi is expected to serve three years in prison as the sentences run concurrently.
Arash Moradi was previously imprisoned for one year in 2018 in connection to the 7 Golestan protests. After his release, Moradi resumed his activist work to eradicate homelessness in Iran.
Photo attributed to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Gonabadi Dervish Arash Moradi Faces Eight-Year Prison Term" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Gonabadi Dervish Arash Moradi Receives 8-Year Prison Sentence in Iran" Hengaw Organization for Human Rights
ARAM Iran, Tweet, November 3, 2023
"Gonabadi Dervish Arash Moradi Arrested in Kashan" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"Arash Moradi was Arrested in Kashan" The Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners
USCIRF Vice Chair Nadine Maenza testified at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) Hearing on Violations of the International Right to Freedom of Religion: Christians
View the recording here.