Extra Bio Info:

Abdollah Esmaili was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

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

In July 2018, Esmaili was reportedly sentenced to seven years in prison, 74 lashes, and two years of deprived social rights. Esmaili was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

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

During his detention, Esmaili was reportedly subjected to attacks and inhumane living conditions.

Extra Bio Info:

Hossein Arang was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

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

In June 2018, Arang was reportedly sentenced to five years in prison.

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

Arang was reportedly subjected to inhumane living conditions and denied adequate medical care during his detention.

Extra Bio Info:

Akbar Biranvand was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Biranvand 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. Biranvand was reportedly charged with "refusing police orders" (Art. 607 IPC), "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC), and "disrupting public order" (Art. 618 IPC). Following his arrest, Biranvand was reportedly denied access to a lawyer. 

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

On March 28, 2020, Biranvand was reportedly released from prison in light of COVID-19.