Additional Name(s): احمد ایرانی‌خواه

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Ethnic Group: Fars

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February//2018

Date of Sentencing: July//2018

Date of Release: March/23/2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Unlawful Disobedience

Ahmad Iranikhah

Extra Bio Info:

Ahmad Iranikhah was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Iranikhah 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. Iranikhah was reportedly charged with "refusing police orders" (Art. 607 IPC) and "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC). Following his arrest, Iranikhah was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

In July 2018, Iranikhah was reportedly sentenced to seven years in prison and two years in exile. Iranikhah was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

In March 2019, a Tehran appeals court reportedly upheld Iranikhah's sentence. 

On March 23, 2020, Iranikhah was reportedly released from prison following a state directive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During his detention, Iranikhah was reportedly subjected to attacks and inhumane living conditions.