Additional Name(s): Morteza Mashoodkari, Morteza Hajeb Mashhoud-Kari, مرتضی مشهودکاری

Gender: Male

Current Location: Lakan Prison

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 2 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment (Originally 5 Years' Imprisonment)

Date of Detainment: May/10/2022

Date of Sentencing: April//2022

Date of Release: May//2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Practicing Religion as a Convert Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Morteza Mashhood Kari

Extra Bio Info:

Morteza Mashhood Kari was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert. 

In September 2021, authorities arrested Kari, a member of the Church of Iran, and others in Rasht reportedly in relation to their religious practice. Kari was reportedly held in solitary confinement.

Later in September 2021, Kari was released on bail.

In April 2022, Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Kari to five years in prison for "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). Article 18 reported the charge as “engaging in propaganda and education of deviant beliefs contrary to the holy Sharia” and “connections with foreign leaders."

On May 10, 2022, Kari was reportedly arrested after being summoned to the Courthouse of Rasht City. He was transferred to Lakan Prison.

In November 2022, it was reported that Kari received a partial pardon, reducing his sentence to two and a half years in prison.

In May 2023, Kari was released from prison. He must report to prison everyday to engage in compulsory work.

Related Cases: Ayub Pour Rezazadeh, Ahmad Sarparast

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): احمد سرپرست

Gender: Male

Current Location: Lakan Prison

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/8/2022

Date of Sentencing: April//2022

Date of Release: October//2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Practicing Religion as a Convert Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Ahmad Sarparast

Extra Bio Info:

Ahmad Sarparast was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert. 

In September 2021, authorities arrested Sarparast, a member of the Church of Iran, and others in Rasht reportedly in relation to their religious practice. Sarparast was reportedly held in solitary confinement. 

Later in September 2021, Sarparast was released on bail.

In April 2022, Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Sarparast to five years in prison for "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). Article 18 reported the charge as “engaging in propaganda and education of deviant beliefs contrary to the holy Sharia” and “connections with foreign leaders."

On May 8, 2022, intelligence agents reportedly arrested Sarparast from his home.

In October 2023, Sarparast was reportedly granted conditional release from prison. He must report to the prison everyday to engage in compulsory work.

Related Cases: Ayub Pour Rezazadeh, Morteza Mashhood Kari

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Ayoob Poor-Rezazadeh, Ayoub Pourreza-Zadeh, ایوب پوررضازاده

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: May/8/2022

Date of Sentencing: April//2022

Date of Release: October//2023

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: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Ayub Pour Rezazadeh

Extra Bio Info:

Ayub Pour Rezazadeh was imprisoned for practicing his religion as a convert. 

In September 2021, authorities arrested Rezazadeh, a member of the Church of Iran, and others in Rasht reportedly in relation to their religious practice. Rezazadeh was reportedly held in solitary confinement. 

In October 2021, Rezazadeh was released on bail.

In April 2022, Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court reportedly sentenced Rezazadeh to five years in prison for "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC). Article 18 reported the charge as “engaging in propaganda and education of deviant beliefs contrary to the holy Sharia” and “connections with foreign leaders."

On May 8, 2022, intelligence agents reportedly arrested Rezazadeh from his home.

In October 2023, Rezazadeh was reportedly granted conditional release from prison. He must report to the prison everyday to engage in compulsory work.

Related Cases: Morteza Mashhood Kari, Ahmad Sarparast

Publicly Available Information:
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