Additional Name(s): جواد کریم‌زایی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Ethnic Group: Baluch

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: August/8/2019

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Javad Karimzaei

Extra Bio Info:

Javad Karimzaei was detained for his religious belief and activity. 

On August 8, 2019, intelligence officers reportedly arrested Karimzaei, a student at the Shorshadi religious school in Zahedan.

According to United For Iran, it is likely that Karimzaei has been released. 

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): بختیار عارفی

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Ethnic Group: Kurd

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Reduced to 1 Year, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 3 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/24/2018

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Association Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization

Bakhtiar Arefi

Extra Bio Info:

Bakhtiar Arefi was imprisoned for his religious association and activity. 

On January 25, 2015, authorities arrested Arefi, a teacher.  A month later, he was released on bail.

On February 25, 2017, Arefi was sentenced to three years in prison for "membership in organizations that aim to disrupt national security" (Art. 499 IPC).  United For Iran reports that this sentence was in relation to his alleged membership in "Jamaat-e-Dawat and Islah," whereas Human Rights Activists News Agency frames his arrest and sentencing in terms of his teacher union activities. 

On October 30, 2017, Arefi's sentence was reduced to 18 months in prison.

On July 24, 2018, Arefi was taken into state custody to begin serving his sentence.

On an unspecified date, Arefi was reportedly released from prison after completing his sentence.

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): شکوفه یداللهی فارسی

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Health Concerns: Wounds

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Reduced to 2 Years' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February//2018

Date of Sentencing: December//2018

Date of Release: February//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

Shokoufeh Yadollahi Farsi

Extra Bio Info:

Shokoufeh Yadollahi Farsi was imprisoned for her religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

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

In December 2018, Farsi was reportedly sentenced to five years in prison and a two years of deprived social rights. According to United For Iran, a Tehran appeals court reduced Farsi's sentence to two years in prison.

In February 2020, Farsi was released after completing her sentence.

While Farsi was imprisoned, she was reportedly subjected to attacks and inhumane living conditions.  She was also denied adequate medical care for wounds she suffered during the February 2018 protests.

Publicly Available Information:
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