Extra Bio Info:

Abbas Dehghan was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

In February 2018, authorities arrested Dehghan, an administrator 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.

Dehghan was reportedly charged with "insulting state employees" (Art. 609 IPC), "assembling and colluding to act against national security" (Art. 610 IPC), and "disrupting public order" (Art. 618 IPC). Dehghan and others arrested at the protests were reportedly denied access to lawyers during the interrogation process.

On an unspecified date, Dehghan was reportedly sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison and 74 lashes. Dehghan is expected to serve six years and three months in prison as the sentences run concurrently. 

In September 2018, it was reported that Dehghan 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 May 2020, it was reported that Dehghan was transferred to the 5th Brigade of Fashafoyeh Prison following a beating by prison authorities.

In July 2022, it was reported that Dehghan had been denied proper medical care in Evin Prison despite contracting COVID-19.

In January 2023, it was reported that Dehghan had been released from prison.

Dehghan was reportedly subjected to torture, solitary confinement, and inhumane living conditions during his detention.  There are also concerns about his general health in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Dehghan has two children.

Extra Bio Info:

Mojtaba 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). Biranvand was reportedly denied access to a lawyer.

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

In September 2018, it was reported that Biranvand 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 Biranvand's sentence.

On April 14, 2020, Biranvand was released from prison following a state directive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Extra Bio Info:

Majid Moradi was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

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

In the summer of 2018, Moradi was reportedly sentenced to seven years in prison. Moradi was expected to serve five years in prison as his sentences ran concurrently.

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

On March 25, 2020, Moradi was reportedly released from prison following a state directive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.