Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Health Concerns: Heart, kidney, eye disease

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November//2017

Date of Release: December/3/2019

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Education Rights Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Hassan Sarvestani Momtaz

Extra Bio Info:

Hassan Sarvestani Momtaz was imprisoned for his religious association and for providing religious education.

In the years prior to his arrest, Momtaz, an educator, had been questioned by authorities about his work with the Baha’i Institute of Higher Education (BIHE). On May 22, 2011, authorities raided Momtaz's and other homes of BIHE staff. In March 2013, Momtaz appeared before the Evin Court.

In February 2014, Momtaz was reportedly sentenced to five years in prison.

In November 2014, an appeals court reportedly upheld his sentence.

In November 2017, Momtaz was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.

While in prison, Momtaz's health reportedly began to deteriorate and underwent an angiography.  He suffers from acute heart, kidney, and eye disease.

In August 2019, Momtaz was granted a medical furlough for a few days.

On December 3, 2019, Momtaz was released from prison.

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