Additional Name(s): Akbar Beiranvand, اکبر بیرانوند

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February//2018

Date of Sentencing: July//2018

Date of Release: March/28/2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Public Disorder Unlawful Disobedience

Akbar Biranvand

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.

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): فرنام فرهنگ

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February//2018

Date of Sentencing: July//2018

Date of Release: March//2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association

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

Farnam Farhang

Extra Bio Info:

Farnam Farhang was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Farhang 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. Farhang was reportedly charged with "propaganda against the state (Art. 500 IPC) and "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC). Farhang was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

In July 2018, Farhang was reportedly sentenced to six years in prison. Farhang was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

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

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

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): مصطفی میرمحمدی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: 7 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February//2018

Date of Sentencing: July//2018

Date of Release: March//2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Public Disorder Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Unlawful Disobedience

Mostafa Mir Mohammadi

Extra Bio Info:

Mostafa Mir Mohammadi was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Mohammadi 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. Mohammadi was reportedly charged with "propaganda against the state" (Art. 500 IPC), "refusing police orders" (Art. 607 IPC), "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC), and "disrupting public order" (Art. 618 IPC). Mohammadi was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

In July 2018, Mohammadi was reportedly sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison, 148 lashes, two years in exile, a two-year travel ban. Mohammadi was expected to serve seven years and six months in prison as the sentences run concurrently.

In March 2020, Mohammadi was released from prison in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Publicly Available Information:
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