Additional Name(s): مهدی خطیبی

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: July/24/2019

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

Mehdi Khatibi

Extra Bio Info:

Mehdi Khatibi was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert. 

On February 23, 2019, authorities arrested Khatibi at a house-church.  Other members of the Church of Iran in Rasht were reportedly arrested around the same time.

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

On July 24, 2019, Khatibi was remanded after reportedly being unable to pay the new bail set by the judge. During this hearing, it is also reported that Khatibi was not allowed to choose his own lawyer.

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

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

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

In February 2022, a court of appeals acquitted Khatibi.

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