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.

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