Additional Name(s): محمد وفادار

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Acquitted

Sentence: Originally 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/28/2020

Date of Sentencing: October/13/2019

Date of Release: January/1/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Practicing Religion as a Convert Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly

Mohammed Vafadar

Extra Bio Info:

Mohammed Vafadar was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert. 

On February 15, 2019, authorities arrested Vafadar at a house-church.  Other members of the Church of Iran in Rasht were reportedly arrested around the same time.

In March 2019, Vafadar was released on bail pending trial.

On October 13, 2019, Vafadar was sentenced to five years in prison for “assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC).

In March 2020, Vafadar's appeal was rejected after he and his lawyer were reportedly not allowed to attend the hearing.

On May 28, 2020, Vafadar was reportedly summoned to begin serving his sentence at Evin Prison.

On January 1, 2022, Vafadar was reportedly conditionally released from Evin Prison pending a review of his case.

In February 2022, a court of appeals acquitted Vafadar.

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