Additional Name(s): Saeed Doorandish, سعید دوراندیش

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: 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

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Unlawful Disobedience

Saeed Dourandish

Extra Bio Info:

Saeed Dourandish was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

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

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

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

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

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

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