Additional Name(s): رسول هویدا

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February//2018

Date of Sentencing: June//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 Public Disorder Unlawful Disobedience

Rasoul Hoveyda

Extra Bio Info:

Rasoul Hoveyda was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, Hoveyda was arrested 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. Hoveyda 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). Hoveyda was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

In June 2018, Hoveyda was sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes, and two years in exile. Hoveyda was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

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

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

Hoveyda was reportedly subjected to attacks and inhumane living conditions during his detention.

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