Hesam Moeini

Additional Name(s): حسام معینی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/20/2018

Date of Sentencing: July//2018

Date of Release: March//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 Public Disorder

Hesam Moeini

Extra Bio Info:

Hesam Moeini was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Moeini 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. Moeini was reportedly charged with "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC) and "disrupting public order" (Art. 618 IPC). Moeini was reportedly denied access to a lawyer following his arrest.

In July 2018, Moeini was reportedly sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes, two years of deprived social rights, and a two-year travel ban. He was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

In March 2020, Moeini was reportedly released following a state directive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moeini was reportedly denied adequate medical care and subjected to inhumane living conditions, prolonged solitary confinement, and attacks during his detention.