Additional Name(s): صادق قیصری

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Ethnic Group: Lor

Religion or Belief: Unknown

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February//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 Reporting on Religious Freedom Conditions or Documenting Religious Freedom Violations

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Sadegh Gheysari

Extra Bio Info:

Sadegh Gheysari was imprisoned for his alleged religious association and for allegedly protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Gheysari 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.

There are conflicting reports about whether or not Gheysari was associated with the Sufi Gonadadi Order. In April 2018, the Human Rights Activists News Agency released a report questioning if Gheysari was actually affiliated with Gonabadi dervishes. According to Insafnews, Gheysari went to the protests to cover them as a journalist. 

In July 2018, Gheysari was reportedly sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes, two years in exile, and two years of deprived social rights.  It is unclear what Gheysari was charged with. Gheysari was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

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

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