Additional Name(s): رضا سیگارچی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Health Concerns: High blood pressure

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

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

Reza Sigarchi

Extra Bio Info:

Reza Sigarchi was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

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

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

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

In August 2019, Sigarchi was reportedly transferred to the hospital due to high blood pressure.

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

Sigarchi was reportedly subjected to attacks and denied adequate medical care during his detention.

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