Abbas Dehghan

Additional Name(s): عباس دهقان

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Health Concerns: Contracted COVID-19

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 6 Years, 3 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February//2018

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association Reporting on Religious Freedom Conditions or Documenting Religious Freedom Violations

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Insulting Public Officials & Institutions Public Disorder

Abbas Dehghan

Extra Bio Info:

Abbas Dehghan was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Dehghan, an administrator for the website Majzooban-e-Noor, following a violent crackdown on people protesting the arrest of Nematollah Riahi. Riahi, a member of the Sufi Gonabadi Order, had come to Tehran earlier in February to participate in a sit-in protesting the house arrest of spiritual leader Noor Ali Tabandeh.

Dehghan was reportedly charged with "insulting state employees" (Art. 609 IPC), "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC), and "disrupting public order" (Art. 618 IPC). Dehghan and others arrested at the protests were reportedly denied access to lawyers during the interrogation process.

On an unspecified date, Dehghan was reportedly sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison and 74 lashes. Dehghan is expected to serve six years and three months in prison as the sentences run concurrently. 

In September 2018, it was reported that Dehghan was participating in a hunger strike demanding an end to Tabandeh's house arrest, the release of female Gonabadi Sufi prisoners, and for all Gonabadi Sufi prisoners in Great Tehran Penitentiary to be kept in the same ward. 

In May 2020, it was reported that Dehghan was transferred to the 5th Brigade of Fashafoyeh Prison following a beating by prison authorities.

In July 2022, it was reported that Dehghan had been denied proper medical care in Evin Prison despite contracting COVID-19.

In January 2023, it was reported that Dehghan had been released from prison.

Dehghan was reportedly subjected to torture, solitary confinement, and inhumane living conditions during his detention.  There are also concerns about his general health in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dehghan has two children.