Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Turkmenistan

Ethnic Group: Turkmen

Religion or Belief: Christian – Jehovah's Witness

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 2 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Sentencing: January/13/2020

Date of Release: May/8/2021

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Conscientious Objection Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Refusing & Absconding Military Service

Kamiljan Ergashov

Extra Bio Info:

Kamiljan Ergashov was imprisoned for refusing to serve in the military on religious grounds.

On January 13, 2020, Ergashov was sentenced to two years in a labor camp for "rejecting call-up to military service" (Art. 219-1 TCC).  The date and circumstances of his arrest were unspecified.

On February 4, 2020, Ergashov's appeal was denied.

On May 8, 2021, Ergashov was released from prison following a presidential pardon.

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): سینا انتصاری

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February//2018

Date of Sentencing: August//2018

Date of Release: March/24/2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association Reporting on Religious Freedom Conditions or Documenting Religious Freedom Violations

Nature of Charges: Illegal Assembly Public Disorder Unlawful Disobedience

Sina Entesari

Extra Bio Info:

Sina Entesari was imprisoned for his religious association and for reporting on religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Entesari, a news director for the website Majzooban-e-Noor, 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. Entesari was covering the protests as a journalist. Entesari 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, Entesari was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

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

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

On March 24, 2020, Entesari was reportedly released from prison following a state directive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Entesari was reportedly denied adequate medical care and subjected to beatings, solitary confinement, and inhumane living conditions while imprisoned.

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): کسری نوری

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sufi

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 7 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: February/20/2018

Date of Sentencing: July//2018

Date of Release: March/16/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association Reporting on Religious Freedom Conditions or Documenting Religious Freedom Violations

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

Kasra Nouri

Extra Bio Info:

Kasra Nouri was imprisoned for his religious association and for reporting on religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Nouri, a reporter for the website Majzooban-e-Noor, 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. Nouri 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). Nouri was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

In July 2018, Nouri was reportedly sentenced to 12 years in prison, 74 lashes, two years in exile, two years of deprived social rights, and a two-year travel ban. Nouri is expected to serve seven years and six months as the sentences run concurrently.

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

In August 2022, it was reported that Nouri had been transferred from Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz to the Ministry of Intelligence’s local office in Shiraz for unknown reasons. 

On March 16, 2023, Nouri  was reportedly released from prison after receiving amnesty.

Nouri has reportedly been denied adequate health care and subjected to attacks, prolonged solitary confinement, and inhumane living conditions during his detention.

Nouri was previously imprisoned for his religious activity.

Publicly Available Information:
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