Additional Name(s): مارال راستی

Gender: Female

Current Location: Bandar Abbas Prison

Perpetrator: Iran

Ethnic Group: Fars

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Sentencing: December//2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly

Maral Rasti

Extra Bio Info:

Maral Rasti was imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

In April 2017, authorities arrested Rasti and several other Baha’is in Bandar Abbas reportedly for attending Baha’i gatherings as well as engaging in other communal religious activities. There is also reporting indicating they were accused of sharing human rights violations against Baha’is with foreign media organizations.

In June 2017, Rasti was released on bail.

In December 2020, Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Bandar Abbas sentenced Rasti to two years in prison for “assembling and colluding to act against national security” (Art. 610 IPC).

In February 2021, Branch 2 of the Hormozgan Court of Appeals upheld Rasti’s sentence.

Later in 2021, Rasti was taken into custody to begin serving her sentence and was transferred to Bandar Abbas Prison.

In April 2021, Rasti was granted a short leave from prison. She returned days later.

On an unspecified date, Rasti was released from prison reportedly after completing her sentence. 

Related Cases: Mahnaz Jan Nesar, Arash Rasekhi, Mehrallah Afshar, Nasim Ghanvatian

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