Additional Name(s): Hamid Ghare-Hassanlou, Hamid Qarahasanlou, Hamid Ghareh Hassanlou, Hamid Ghara-Hasanlu, حمید قره حسنلو
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Ethnic Group: Turk
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Sentence: 15 Years' Imprisonment (Originally Death)
Date of Detainment: November/4/2022
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems Women’s Rights
Nature of Charges: Miscellaneous Religious Crimes
Hamid Gharehassanlou is imprisoned on religiously oriented charges for protesting religious freedom conditions.
On November 4, 2022, authorities in Karaj arrested Gharehassanlou, a member of the Sufi Gonabadi Order, and his wife Farzaneh Gharehassanlou from their home after they had participated in the 40th day commemoration of the murder of Hadis Najafi. Najafi had been killed by security forces while protesting the death of Mahsa Amini. Hamid Gharehassanlou was reportedly beaten during the arrest. Authorities falsely accused the Gharehassanlous of being involved in the killing of a member of a state-backed paramilitary force. During interrogations, Hamid was reportedly tortured into confessing. Farzaneh was also reportedly tortured into making incriminating claims about Hamid.
On November 6, 2022, state media broadcasted forced confessions by the Gharehassanlous. Both Hamid and Farzaneh reportedly had visible signs of torture on their bodies.
In early December 2022, it was learned that a court in Karaj, Alborz province, sentenced Hamid Gharehassanlou to death for “spreading corruption on earth through committing crimes against national security.” At the time of his sentencing, Gharehassanlou was in the hospital recovering from internal bleeding caused by torture. According to a family member, authorities reportedly threatened the Gharehassanlous' lawyers until they were forced to accept a public defender, who allegedly worked to convict them.
In late December 2022, it was reported that Gharehassanlou had been returned to Karaj Central Penitentiary.
In February 2023, it was reported that Gharehassanlou's health had deteriorated and that authorities at Karaj Central Penitentiary had refused to provide him adequate medical care and transfer him to a hospital for treatment. Gharehassanlou reportedly suffers from heart disease and digestive issues.
In April 2023, it was reported that a court in Karaj sentenced Gharehassanlou to 15 years in prison, and that prison authorities have not provided medical treatment despite his “worrying physical conditions.”
In May 2025, it was reported that Iranian authorities continue to deny Gharehassanlou needed medical treatment by manipulating the approval process for the required treatment to make it more difficult to secure.
Related Cases: Farzaneh Gharehassanlou
Additional Name(s): شهرام نادری
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Yarsani
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: December/6/2022
Current Status: Unknown
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Shahram Naderi was detained for his religious belief and activity.
On December 6, 2022, authorities in Kermanshah reportedly arrested Naderi in relation to his religious belief.
"کرمانشاه؛ شهرام نادری، شهروند یارسان بازداشت شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
Additional Name(s): فربد علوی
Gender: Male
Current Location: Evin Prison, Tehran
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: December/4/2022
Date of Release: January/11/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Farbod Alavi was detained for his religious belief and activity.
On December 4, 2022, authorities reportedly arrested Alavi in relation to his being Baha'i. He was sent to Evin Prison.
On January 11, 2023, Alavi was reportedly released on bail.
HRANA English, Tweet, January 12, 2023
"Baha’i Citizen Farbod Alavi Arrested" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
"فربد علوی، شهروند بهائی توسط نیروهای امنیتی بازداشت شد" Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)