Additional Name(s): Saheb Fadaei, زمان فدایی
Gender: Male
Current Location: Evin Prison, Tehran
Perpetrator: Iran
Ethnic Group: Fars
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Appeal: Reduced to 6 Years' Imprisonment + 1 Year, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Sentence: Originally 10 Years' Imprisonment + 1 Year, 6 Months' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: July//2018
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: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Zaman Fadaei was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert.
On May 13, 2016, authorities arrested Fadaei, a member of the Church of Iran, and several others while performing religious rites at a house-church. He was reportedly denied a lawyer.
In May/June 2016, Fadaei was released after posting bail.
In September 2016, Fadaei was sentenced to 80 lashes for "drinking alcohol." He had reportedly drunk communion wine during a worship service.
In May 2017, Fadaei was reportedly arrested again on different charges. He was subsequently released on bail.
In June/July 2017, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Fadaei to ten years in prison. United For Iran reports Fadaei was charged with "founding or leading an organization that aims to disrupt national security" (Art. 498 IPC). Church In Chains reports that this charged included allegations of “propagating house churches” and "promoting Zionist Christianity."
In July 2018, Fadaei was arrested again to serve his sentence.
There are reports that Fadaei has been denied adequate medical care.
In August/September 2018, the 26th Branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Fadaei to 18 months in prison for allegedly “propaganda against the state” (Art. 500 IPC).
In May/June 2020, an appeals court reportedly reduced Fadaei's sentence from ten years to six years in prison.
In October 2020, Fadaei was reportedly released from prison on leave. He subsequently returned to prison a few days later.
In November 2020, it was reported that Fadaei had been lashed 80 times for "drinking communion wine."
In February 2022, it was reported that Fadaei was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms following an outbreak in his prison.
On February 8, 2023, Fadaei was reportedly released from prison.
In August 2023, it was reported that Fadaei's two-year term of internal exile was dropped.
Fadaei is married with a child.
Photo attributed to Article 18
"Iran: Former prisoner pardoned" Middle East Concern (MEC)
"زمان فدایی، نوکیش مسیحی از زندان اوین آزاد شد" Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA)
USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom in Iran in 2022 July 2022
"Four Christians unwell after suspected Covid-19 outbreak in Evin Prison" Article 18
"Saheb Fadaei" Church In Chains
"Zaman Fadaei" United For Iran
"Second Christian convert flogged for drinking Communion wine" Article 18
"Christian converts’ sentences reduced, but not overturned" Article 18
"Iranian Christian denied medical treatment in Evin Prison" Article 18
"Saheb Fadaie, Yousef Nadarkhani, Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Youhan Omidi" Article 18
"Rasht Christians violently arrested" Article 18