Additional Name(s): Şahin Qədirov

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Azerbaijan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a

Reports of Torture: Yes

Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/14/2024

Date of Sentencing: February/14/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Drug Trafficking & Illicit Drug Use

Shahin Gadirov

Extra Bio Info:

Shahin Gadirov is imprisoned for his religious association and activity.

On November 23, 2022, authorities arrested Gadirov, a member of the Muslim Unity Movement (MUM), on his way home from work. According to MUM, Gadirov's arrest was meant to "pressure" the organization. Gadirov was charged with "illegally purchasing or storing with a view of selling, manufacturing, processing, transporting, transferring or selling of narcotics or psychotropic substances in large amount" (Art. 234.4.3 ACC).

In 2023, Gadirov was placed under house arrest.

On February 14, 2024, the Baku Grave Crimes Court sentenced Gadirov to three years in prison for "Illegally purchasing or storing without a purpose of selling narcotics or psychotropic substances in a quantity (amount) exceeding necessary for personal consumption" (Art. 234.1 ACC). Gadirov's defense team claimed that he had been tortured into confessing. Gadirov was taken into custody following the verdict.

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Additional Name(s): نسیم کاشانی نژاد

Gender: Female

Current Location: Adel-Abad Prison, Shiraz

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/21/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Nasim Kashani Nejad

Extra Bio Info:

Nasim Kashani Nejad was imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

On November 21, 2022, authorities in Shiraz took into custody Nejad and sent her to Adel-Abad Prison to begin serving her sentence. Prior to her arrest, an appeals court sentenced Nejad to six months in prison on accusations related to her Baha'i religious activities.

On January 29, 2023, Nejad was released from prison.

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Additional Name(s): Enrique Martínez Gamboa, Benito Enrique Martínez

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Health Concerns: Diabetes, hypertension, kidney problems, blood circulation problems

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: October/13/2022

Date of Release: February/9/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

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

Enrique Martínez

Extra Bio Info:

Enrique Martínez was detained for his religious leadership role.

On October 13, 2022, authorities reportedly violently arrested Martínez, the parish priest of St. Martha’s Church in Managua, at his home. Riot police reportedly entered his home forcibly, broke down the door to his room, beat him, and pushed him into a van. Martínez was reportedly charged with conspiracy and propagating false news. Martínez's arrest came amid a crackdown of fellow clergymen criticizing the government for its human rights violations, including religious freedom.

On February 9, 2023, Martínez was released from prison and exiled to the United States.

Martínez reportedly suffers from diabetes, hypertension, kidney problems, and blood circulation problems.

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