Additional Name(s): رضا یاوری مطلق

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: April/1/2020

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

Reza Yavari Motlagh

Extra Bio Info:

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

In February 2018, authorities arrested Motlagh 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. Motlagh was reportedly charged with "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC). Motlagh was reportedly denied access to a lawyer. 

In August 2018, Motlagh was reportedly sentenced to nine years in prison, 74 lashes, and two years in exile. Motlagh was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

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

On April 1, 2020, Motlagh was reportedly released from prison following a state directive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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