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

Extra Bio Info:

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. 

Sources:

Jun 27

WHEN:

Jun 27th 10:00am

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.

Jul 30

WHEN:

Jul 30th 9:00am

USCIRF Commissioner Nury Turkel testified at the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (TLHRC) Hearing on Religious Freedom in China: The Case of Bishop James Su Zhimin

View the recording here.