Extra Bio Info:

Reza Sigarchi was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, Sigarchi was arrested 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. Sigarchi 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). Sigarchi was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

In August 2018, Sigarchi was reportedly sentenced to seven years in prison and two years in exile. Sigarchi was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

In March 2019, a Tehran appeals court reportedly upheld Sigarchi's sentence.

In August 2019, Sigarchi was reportedly transferred to the hospital due to high blood pressure.

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

Sigarchi was reportedly subjected to attacks and denied adequate medical care during his detention.

Extra Bio Info:

Sekhavat Salimi was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Salimi 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. Salimi 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). Salimi was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

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

In September 2018, it was reported that Salimi was participating in a hunger strike demanding an end to Tabandeh's house arrest, the release of female Gonabadi Sufi prisoners, and for all Gonabadi Sufi prisoners in Great Tehran Penitentiary to be kept in the same ward.

In March 2019, a Tehran appeals court reportedly upheld Salimi's sentence.

On March 22, 2020, Salimi was reportedly released from prison following a state directive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Salimi was reportedly subjected to attacks and denied adequate medical care during his detention.

Extra Bio Info:

Zhao Weiwei is imprisoned for her religious belief and activity.

On March 30, 2017, officers from the Hanbin Branch of Ankang Public Security Bureau in Shaanxi province detained Zhao reportedly in relation to her religious belief, possession of religious materials, and attending of worship gatherings.

On November 6, 2018, the People’s Court of Baihe county sentenced Zhao to seven years in prison and fined her 20,000 yuan for "organizing or using a cult to undermine implementation of the law" (Art. 300 CCL).

Zhao was taken to Shaanxi Women’s Prison to serve her sentence.