Additional Name(s): مرتضی کنگرلو

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February//2018

Date of Sentencing: August//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 Unlawful Disobedience

Morteza Kangarlou

Extra Bio Info:

Morteza Kangarlou was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Kangarlou 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. Kangarlou was reportedly charged with "refusing police orders" (Art. 607 IPC), "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC), and "disrupting public order" (Art. 618 IPC). Kangarlou was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

In August 2018, Kangarlou was reportedly sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes, two years in exile, and two years of deprived social rights.  Kangarlou was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

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

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

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

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