Extra Bio Info:

Mehdi Keyvanlou was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

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

Later in 2018, Keyvanlou was reportedly sentenced to seven years in prison and 74 lashes. Keyvanlou was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

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

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

Extra Bio Info:

Ardeshir Ashayeri was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

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

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

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

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

During his detention, Ashayeri was reportedly subjected to attacks.

Extra Bio Info:

Jafar Ahmadi was imprisoned for his religious association and for protesting religious freedom conditions.

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

In January 2019, Ahmadi was reportedly sentenced to seven years in prison and two years in exile. He was expected to serve five years in prison as the sentences ran concurrently.

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

On March 23, 2020, Ahmadi was reportedly released from prison following a state directive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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