Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: December/29/2023

Date of Release: January/14/2024

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Silvio Fonseca

Extra Bio Info:

Silvio Fonseca was detained for his religious expression and his religious leadership role.

On December 29, 2023, Nicaraguan authorities arrested Silvio Fonseca, the vicar of Family, Life, and Childhood in the Archdiocese of Managua. Fonseca has openly criticized the government's religious freedom violations. His arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.

On January 14, 2024, Fonseca was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.

Related Cases: Héctor TreminioCarlos AvilésFernando CaleroMarcos Díaz PradoMykel MonterreyRaúl ZamoraGerardo RodríguezMiguel MánticaJader HernándezErvin López

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.