Additional Name(s): وصال ممتازی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 3 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Insulting Public Officials & Institutions Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Vesal Momtazi

Extra Bio Info:

Vesal Momtazi was detained for his religious belief and activity.

On December 6, 2022, authorities in Rasht arrested Momtazi in relation to his being Baha'i.

On an unspecified date, Momtazi was released on bail.

On June 13, 2023, Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Momtazi to seven months and 16 days in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” one year and three months in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and three years and six months in prison for “insulting Sharia law.”  If his sentence is upheld on appeal, Momtazi would serve three years and six months in prison as his sentences run concurrently.

In August 2023, it was reported that the Gilan Province Court of Appeals had upheld Momtazi's sentence. Momtazi is expected to serve three years and six months in prison as his sentences run concurrently.

Momtazi had reportedly been expelled from Qazvin International University in 2010 for his religious belief. 

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